Selby Town manager Bob Lyon has called for his strikers to take their chances ahead of their FA Vase opener tomorrow.

The Robins take on North West Counties first division side Winsford United in the second qualifying round, having received a bye in the first, aiming to bounce back following their first defeat of the season in the FA Cup last week.

And Lyon expects his side to take the game to the Cheshire side.

"It's our first home game of the month," he said. "We were beaten for the first time last week but it was by a team who are above us in the leagues.

"This one is on a par with us at least, and we are on home territory, so I will be pushing the lads on, and hopefully we will get the result."

Selby will be strengthened by the return of midfielders Stuart Lee and Russ Barley.

"I'm very glad to have the lads back in contention, Russ has looked a good playmaker and Stuart is strong, so I am hopeful about that," said Lyon.

"And the thing which has made me most happy is that in every one of our games we have created enough chances to score three or four goals, although we've only managed it once.

"Hopefully the forward lads will hit a purple patch and start putting them away for us, and that will see the strong form continue."

Selby's fellow Northern Counties East League premier division side Harrogate Railway are also in Vase action, at home to Jarrow Roofing Bolden CA.

The Rail, knocked out of the FA Cup last week by the only goal of the game against UniBond League side Rossendale and struggling in the league, will hope for better luck against the North Easterners.

Tadcaster Albion also entertain a North East side in the Vase, at home to County Durham outfit Esh Winning.

Albion got off the mark in the NCEL division one last week and will hope to maintain winning ways.

Pickering Town's reward for reaching the last 32 of the Vase last season means they do not have to enter this year's competition at this stage.

Instead, the Pikes welcome Goole to the Recreation Ground for a Northern Counties East League premier division clash.

Pickering will be without the services of former Scarborough keeper Kevin Martin, who is unavailable, so Mark Price will fill the void.

With four wins and a draw from their first six outings, Town boss Steve Brown is "reasonably happy" with his side's solid start to the season.

However, their success in the FA Cup - they beat Bishop Auckland in the second qualifying round last week -means they have played less games than their rivals in the NCEL.

Currently in 16th place, a win over mid-table Goole would see the Pikes shoot up the table and, with games still in hand, well-placed for a drive towards the top five.

"We've had a reasonable start but I still think it could have been a little better," reasoned Brown. "It was a good performance last week and I want us to push on from that."

Updated: 11:44 Friday, September 19, 2003