HARROGATE Railway are set for what could be a preview to the Northern Counties East League President's Cup final when they welcome Bridlington to Station View tomorrow.

Bridlington and Glapwell are due to meet on Tuesday to decide who will meet Railway in the two-legged final, with the smart money on the Queensgate Stadium outfit to progress.

Brid are the favourites to win promotion to the UniBond League and although they are currently trail Goole by three points, they have six games in hand.

But Rail will attempt to strike first blood tomorrow with victory in the premier division.

"They are a good side and have a couple of players in Lee Harper and Gavin Kelly that I managed when I was at (Harrogate) Town," said Rail chief Paul Marshall. "They are favourites for promotion and will be again to beat Glapwell when they play on Tuesday, so our match could be a preview to the final."

Marshall will be without injured duo Steve Haddon (ankle) and Dean Wilson (back), while he faces losing Liam Gray to Farsley Celtic again after the Throstle Nest club put another seven days notice in for the wing back.

Pickering Town can continue to kick clear of the relegation zone with a victory over Eccleshill.

Four wins from their last six games have breathed new life into the Pikes' troubled season. However, last weekend's torrential rain saw them handed a rare rest day.

The club will hope to have star striker Luke Ibbetson available as the former York City trainee has been training with Scarborough reserves.

Joining Pickering in clawing their way out of the premier division depths are Selby Town, who entertain Hallam tomorrow.

The Robins are enjoying a fine run, which, like Pickering's, was halted by the weather on Saturday.

They have claimed the scalp of FA Vase semi-finalists Brigg on their way and they can add to the woes at second-from-bottom Hallam by taking maximum points at Flaxley Road.

Manager Bob Lyon has been busy strengthening his squad, with Pat Render, Graham Mitchell and Marc Thompson all signing in the past few weeks.

Thompson, who has joined from Pickering, and Mitchell should make their debuts this weekend.

Beleaguered Tadcaster Albion will be wishing for the curtain to be finally brought down on their miserable season in division one.

After glimpses of promise, Taddy have faltered and now find themselves adrift in the re-election zone and in danger of going out of the league.

However, they will not stopping fighting yet with mid-table Louth the visitors to the Park tomorrow.

Harrogate Town boss John Reed has a selection dilemma ahead of his side's trip to Barrow in the UniBond League premier division.

Having won back-to-back games in the league, Reed was forced to change his winning formula for the midweek West Riding FA County Cup clash against Bradford Park Avenue due to ineligibility. However, Town came through 2-0 winners for their first victory in four seasons over the former League club.

The return to league action means new signing Stuart Elliott, the former Newcastle defender is available, while Scott Jackson is in line to come back in.

However, James McDaid, who missed out on the win over Bradford as he had played for Railway in an earlier round, has joined Wrexham on a week's trial.

Barrow, who boost former Hull City defender Lee Warren among their number, will be no push overs, with the Cumbrians sitting pretty in third.

Updated: 09:33 Friday, March 14, 2003