HARROGATE Town will add to their ever-increasing reputation if they can topple Droylsden at Wetherby Road tomorrow.

John Reed's men have already taken the scalps of experienced UniBond League premier division rivals Altrincham and Stalybridge Celtic, who were relegated from the Conference last season, to leave them top after the opening week.

And Town's magical start to the season could continue with victory over a Droylsden outfit that inflicted a 1-0 defeat on them in the Chairman's Cup competition last season.

But Reed is refusing to get carried away by his side's fabulous start that has seen them yet to concede a goal.

"Every game is going to be hard," admitted Reed. "We are a small club that has come into a massive division. We had a fantastic season last year, but like everyone else, we can't just turn up and expect to win.

"We've got to work sides and I want them to fear coming to Wetherby Road, but to do that we have got to work hard ourselves.

"Against Stalybridge we reached the deserved levels in the terms of effort, if not our footballing ability. We were at our maximum, but we need to keep doing it week in, week out."

He added: "It is hard to say what Droylsden will be like. They have added players just like us, as we've seven new faces.

"They've got four points from their two games, but we've got six so we will have to see what happens."

Town will be without John Fielding and Scott Bonsall, while Scott Jackson is a doubt after picking up a knock against Stalybridge.

Clint Marcelle, Darren Fell and Marc Thompson, who has agreed to stay at Town for the season, will all come into contention.

Pickering Town welcome former York City midfielder Ben Rhodes into their squad for the Northern Counties East League premier division trip to Brodsworth.

Rhodes, who made just the one substitute appearance for the Minstermen last term before being released, has opted to revive his career at the Pikes despite having earlier attracted interest from Harrogate Town.

Rhodes will team up with another ex-City youth, with centre-half Peter Vasey having joined the Pikes late last season after he was freed from Bootham Crescent.

Town go into the game looking to improve on Saturday's 1-1 draw with Eccleshill.

Boss Steve Brown said: "It was a poor game of football and it is a difficult place to go, so we really have got to be happy with a point.

"We can look for excuses, but we just didn't play as well as we can.

"We are looking for a gradual improvement in our performances. We want to win every game, but that is not always possible."

Phil O'Reilly is also named in the Pickering squad for the clash, but Matt Morton (unavailable) and Ricky Greening (knee) will both miss out.

Harrogate Railway will look to overcome last season's bogey team when they travel to Glasshoughton.

The Castleford side, managed by former Station View boss Fred Cliffe, were the only team to do the double over Rail last season and Paul Marshall's troops are keen to set the record straight.

And having suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Goole in midweek, Rail are keen to get back on track, though Glass' have already toppled another of this season's fancied sides in Brigg.

"If they can beat Brigg 3-2 away then they will be a pretty decent side," said Marshall. "They are the only side to do the double over us last season so I suppose we owe them for that."

Former England winger Chris Waddle could be the star attraction at Selby Town tomorrow when Glapwell roll into Flaxley Road.

Waddle, who has plied his trade at Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham, Newcastle and Marseille among others, has agreed to turn out for Glapwell this season, and having missed Saturday through work commitments could well come into contention for the trip to Selby.

What Selby wouldn't give to have a player of Waddle's quality to help them supply the chances for Andy Cygan and Pete Collier. Having struggled to provide ammunition for their forwards last season, the Robins suffered from the same problem on Saturday in their 2-0 defeat by Ossett Albion.

Tadcaster Albion will be looking to pick up their first points of the season when they entertain Parkgate in NCEL division one.

Wayne Day's men went down to a 3-1 defeat against Maltby Main in their first match, but are confident they can get off the mark against last season's strugglers Parkgate.

Pat Gaughan and Steve Battersby could both come back into the squad after injury.

Knaresborough Town face a tricky trip to Aberford Albion in West Yorkshire League premier division, while Tadcaster Magnet Sports visit Pudsey.

Updated: 12:07 Friday, August 23, 2002