CUP kings Harrogate Railway are setting themselves for a big few days as they look to finish the season among the honours.

Tomorrow sees Paul Marshall's men face fellow trophy-hunters Brigg Town - the Lincolnshire outfit are pushing for promotion and the FA Vase - in the Northern Counties East League premier division, while on Monday night the attention turns to the President's Cup and Sheffield.

Marshall is determined to see his side continue their year-on-year improvement in the league, with a top-five place more than just a possibility for the Railwaymen. But Marshall will not just be content with that, with the lure of the President's Cup and revenge over bogey team Sheffield in the last four the perfect incentive.

After the highs of the FA Cup and FA Vase, the Station View crew deserve some piece of silverware in a sparse trophy cabinet.

Marshall has yet to taste victory over Sheffield, with a 3-2 defeat against the South Yorkshire side on Saturday the latest disappointment.

He said: "Monday will be the ideal opportunity for us to get one over them and go through to the final."

However, first up Railway look to follow Selby's example in beating Brigg 2-0 on Tuesday.

"I think they are concentrating more on the FA Vase now and Selby caught them on the back of their quarter-final victory," he said. "We could have done without them losing to Selby, but hopefully we can catch them out as well although we could get a nasty backlash.

"We always give a good account of ourselves across there, and we beat them twice - once in the league and then in the league cup - last season."

Striker Peter Wrigley is unavailable, while Mark Watkinson, Mattie Flynn and Dean Wilson remain on the injured list.

Rail's cup opponents, Sheffield, will first have to entertain Bob Lyon's rejuvenated Selby Town outfit.

Three wins and a draw from their last six games has seen the Robins climb clear of the danger zone.

With Sheffield now in sight for the 14th placed side, Selby will be aiming to continue their run.

Steve Brown's Pickering Town charges will be hoping to recreate their form from last Saturday when they produced a superb comeback to thump Armthorpe Welfare 4-1.

However, the Pikes will travel to a Liversedge side currently topping the form table alongside Harrogate Railway with five wins and a defeat from their last six games.

Brown has fitness concerns over goalkeeper Kevin Martin, who has a back injury, so he could look to York City trainee Mark Hampshire to fill the gap.

In the NCEL first division, Tadcaster Albion face a mammoth test at Long Eaton United.

Eaton are pushing hard for a promotion place, and will view Taddy, who had a free weekend last week, as a good chance to close the gap on the top two.

Harrogate Town are looking to their 'Blyth' spirit as they attempt to turn the corner in the UniBond League premier division.

After a run of six defeats in seven games, Town produced a sensational display on Tuesday to overcome Blyth Spartans 3-0.

And boss John Reed is after more of the same when his side entertain relegation-threatened Colwyn Bay - second from bottom.

Updated: 09:44 Friday, March 07, 2003