YORK Acorn ARLC coach Alfie Hill has hailed the return of Danny Liddell as a massive boost for the club.

Liddell, brother of York City Knights star Jonny, made his debut back with the Blue and Golds in last week's inspiring Challenge Cup display away to Siddal, and according to Hill had a stormer.

The stand-off, who has been out of rugby league due to playing the round ball game with local Saturday side St Clement's, is also a natural replacement for half-back Andy Gargan, who has left for the Knights.

Hill said: "He's been trying his luck at football but he must have guessed he's a better rugby league player.

"He played in the Mark Cain Testimonial match last month and that might have got his appetite back. He was certainly excellent last week.

"Danny and Andy are not dissimilar players. Andy was a creative player with a good kicking game and Danny is very much the same.

"When one door closes another one opens."

Although Acorn lost to premier division side Siddal, Hill was delighted with the "outstanding" performance, bouncing back from the poor display in the National Cup some seven days earlier.

He says a similar performance, bolstered by the returns of player-coach Daz Callaghan and Danny Caldwell, will reap rewards away to Castleford Lock Lane in National Conference division one this Saturday (ko 2pm).

However, Hill has warned that Lock Lane, while engulfed in a relegation battle, are a side who can beat anyone on their day.

"They're very in and out but their capabilities are quite good, and they beat us at home," he said.

"But if we go to there in the similar manner as we did at Siddal we will do well."

York Acorn A' entertain off-form Queensbury A' in Pennine League division three.