Heworth ARLC are not having the best of times but young gun Tyler Craig can go into this weekend’s game on a high after being picked for the England Lions Under-18s squad.

The Lions U18s, comprised of players from the community/amateur game, embark on a two-game tour of Lebanon on July 24.

Craig got the nod after impressing for the Villagers in National Conference League divison two, as well as York City Knights reserves.

Knights U18s manager Jack Stearman, who is also a team-mate of Craig in the Knights reserves, said: “He was man of the match for our U18s in his one game after injury last year and was promoted to the reserves.

“He’s such a hard trainer and a good player and he deserves it.”

English Lions U18s Head Coach, Kelvin Lockett said: “Things are looking good for the tour, there’s lots of great development work going on in Lebanon and this is a chance for their O20s to test their arm against English opposition. Beirut is a very multi-cultural city and it should be a fantastic tour.”

In the immediate term, Craig’s Heworth side will try to end their long losing sequence at home to Crosfields on Saturday.

Meanwhile, York Acorn go to Oldham St Anne’s in division one with assistant-boss Lea Tichener telling the players to ignore the league table.

Acorn are second and St Anne’s bottom, but Tichener said: “It should be plain sailing on paper but it’s an away fixture and you never know.

“We have a problem sometimes with going to away games and taking things lightly.”

Life doesn’t get much easier for York Lokomotive as they hit the game trail.

The Lokos played only their second match of the Yorkshire Men’s League group three season last week but crashed 50-0 to Normanton Knights ‘A’, and this Saturday they host group two high-fliers Milford Marlins ‘A’.

Acorn ‘A’, second in group three, go to Hull Dockers ‘A’, who lie one place below them.