2 weeks Ago
THERE’S a real excitement flowing at York Acorn ahead of this afternoon’s massive Challenge Cup tie against Hull FC - and boss Ant Chilton is no exception. It may only be the 32-year-old’s third game in charge, but it is the biggest match in Acorn’s history, and the first time they have ever come up against a Super League team. As such, the significance of this afternoon’s fixture - moved to Featherstone Rovers’ Millennium Stadium - has rippled throughout the club.
There has been almost double the usual number of players at training this week, and over 500 of the club’s fans are expected to make the journey across to West Yorkshire, having taken advantage of a free coach service, before congregating back at Thanet Road for celebrations into the night. “Everyone’s really excited,” Chilton enthused to The Press. “There were over 40 people at training last night, so I think it’s well known that we’ve got a big game coming up! “There’s usually probably 25 max, and we had a few under 18s with us as well.
“It’s really good for us because we can actually do some 13 on 13 stuff, and basically play against another team.” Acorn though are without towering centre Josh Thompson, who is suspended after having been deemed to have made unnecessary contact with a doctor during their opening round win at GB Police. Full-back Matt Chilton will captain the side - walking out with Ant’s son - whilst the head coach could himself make a cameo off the bench.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he added. “Obviously I’ve only coached for two games, and I’m actually on the bench as well. I’ll be possibly be playing it as well, depending how it goes.
“Squad-wise, I think we are quite a close-knit club. Everyone is really proud of the lads. “Our aim is just to not embarrass ourselves, make everyone proud, and just put everything out there.
“For me, personally, it’s just another big game that we’ve got in the cup. Obviously, it is that bit bigger, but for me it should just feel exactly the same.” The Challenge Cup has brought the club highs of clashes with Bradford Bulls, Halifax Panthers and Rochdale Hornets over recent years, but also away trips to Cornwall, Edinburgh and Portsmouth that have come at a real financial cost.
Whilst RFL regulations, ground availability and a preference to play on a Saturday has seen the club forced to relocate the tie to West Yorkshire, and whatever the result, Chilton just wants to make it a memorable afternoon that will be talked about for years to come. “I think we’re looking at having over 500 people going and supporting the club, just from our side,” the Acorn boss explained. “It should be really good for the boys.
“We just want to make as much money for the club as we can. We’ve had a lot of tough away games draw-wise, that have made the club absolutely nothing. “It’ll be good to get something back into the club and I think the club will be absolutely maxed out tomorrow night as well.
” John Cartwright has named a fairly youthful 21-man squad for the fixture, though loose forward John Asiata, Cade Cust, Oliver Holmes, and Hugo Salabio could all make their debuts for the East Yorkshire club. “I think they’ve got four or five first-team players who I would say might be in their starting 17. Obviously that’s only a 21-man squad, so a few could get cut from it still.
“It’s one of them, it’s good in a way for us because it gives us less chance of getting an absolute hiding, rather than just a hiding, but the lads are a bit gutted because they’re just wanting to play against all those big names.”.
