COACH Dave Woods says his Gateshead Thunder side have improved since the Northern Rail Cup group matches - but then again so have York City Knights.

The two sides have already met twice this year with the Knights comfortably winning both ties as Woods got used to life in the North East.

They clash again today at Kingston Park, Newcastle (kick off 3pm) in the opening game of the Co-op National League Two season, and Woods, who has targeted a play-off place for the new-look Tynesiders, is hoping for a good start.

"We're looking forward to the league starting. It should be a good game," said the Aussie. "We're hoping we've improved a bit and we know York have done, and they're a good side anyway. We've got to try to go with them when they accelerate and lift a gear."

Woods took the reins in the off-season from York-based Dean Thomas, who joined the backroom staff at Salford after lifting Thunder to successive play-off finishes for the first time since the club reformed.

Woods added: "Realistically we should be aiming for the semi-finals and take it from there, but there are a lot of good sides in the competition and a lot of clubs spending a lot of money to do well.

"We're a new side and we will worry about ourselves and do our best each game."

Woods, who took Castleford Tigers to the NL1 title two years ago, admitted life at the outpost club was a new experience for him. "It's different" he said. "It's not a rugby league hotbed, but I'm enjoying the challenge."