Former York City defender Marc Thompson is expected to sign on the dotted line for Harrogate Town.

The 22-year-old right-back, currently playing for Farnborough in the Nationwide Conference, is hoping to fix a deal with the UniBond League premier division club ready for tomorrow's crunch top of the table clash with Hucknall Town.

And that could spark a direct duel against another former Minsterman, winger Jon McCarthy, who has been starring for high-flying Hucknall this season.

Town manager John Reed said: "We are hoping Marc will sign. He's been playing for Farnborough but has had enough of all the travelling, so all being well, he'll be coming to us."

Tomorrow's game against table-topping Hucknall is a major doubt with several inches of snow frozen on the pitch.

But Reed is still hoping for a thaw so they can face the challenge. He said: "It would be a massive scalp for us and it would also give us a glimmer of hope as far as trying to stop them winning the league.

"I watched them a couple of weeks ago and they were a very good side but like everybody, they have got their weaknesses and if certain players do well in certain positions we could exploit them."

He also has a full squad to pick from although ex-Darlington man Neil Aspin will miss three big games when his suspension kicks in next Saturday for his straight red against Gainsborough.

The threat of bad weather is also hanging over Harrogate Railway's home Northern Counties East League premier division tie against Pickering Town.

Railway boss Martin Haresign will be another one praying for the sun to give his team the chance to continue their strong run.

He said: "We can't wait for the games to come at the moment. They are one of the teams up there who will be hopeful of a place in the top four or five and promotion. But we are pretty strong at home and have only been beaten once at home since I took over, so we are pretty confident."

Steve Davey is still suspended and James Featherstone will also be out, but Damien Holmes will make a return.

Opponents Pickering Town will be 'as you were' with manager Steve Brown reporting a settled squad for duty.

The only doubt will be new signing Steve Swailes who is still recovering from an injury but is hopeful for next week.

Brown said: "The squad is pretty settled. There's always one or two things on the horizon but the players have done well and I'm pleased with them."

Joint managers Paul Marshall and Jimmy Reid will take a battered and bruised Goole AFC into their home game against title contenders Ossett Albion.

Ninth-placed Goole suffered a second Tuesday night epic cup battle in as many weeks when they saw off Carlton Town after extra time in a League Cup replay.

But the win came at a cost and several players will miss tomorrow's match as a result.

Centre-half Kevin Graham has picked up a hamstring injury and could be out for more than a month, and Mark Willoughby has not revived himself after limping off on Tuesday with a calf strain.

Ian Hart has damaged an elbow, influential midfielder Danny Farthing is still out with a bad knee and Cameron Stuart is suspended.

The only good news is that striker Darren Fell is poised to return from an ankle problem, plus the emergence of youngsters Stevie Jeff, Steve Rollinson, Adam Wash and Ben Eastwood.

Goole have also got soon-to-be Harrogate Town defender Thompson on the books as extra cover. And he played on Tuesday night.

Goole's last league defeat - on December 27 last year - came at the hands of Ossett although Goole chalked up a cup win over them earlier in the season. Marshall said: "Hopefully if we play anything like we can do, we should be able to win."

Tadcaster Albion are at home to third-placed Shirebrook Town in NCEL division one.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, February 27, 2004