Pickering Town boss Jimmy Reid believes there is no pressure on his team when they travel to big-spending Alfreton Town tomorrow.

Having looked on as the Derbyshire-based outfit have splashed out on players, Reid feels it is up to the current Northern Counties East premier division leaders to show what they can do.

"There is no pressure on us, it is all on them as the big-spending leaders," said Reid.

"We will use this game to see how far we've come and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

The Pikes were due to take on Town on Saturday at the Recreation Ground, only for the match to fall foul of the weather.

Harrogate Railway have had the chance to regroup after their clash at Armthorpe Welfare was postponed on Saturday.

Midfielder Steve Hadden has had an extra week to recover from a knee injury, while Jimmy Gore returns from holiday to give manager Paul Marshall a stronger looking squad for tomorrow's return fixture at Station View.

"Obviously we would have liked to have played last week because we were on a good little run," said Marshall. "But the break has given us a chance to get a couple of players back.

"Steve Hadden and Jimmy Gore both return, so we are now stronger."

Goole Town entertain high-flying Hallam knowing a victory would not only boost their survival hopes, but also help out title-chasers Pickering Town and Selby Town.

Selby Town are also at home, with the Robins welcoming Glapwell to Flaxley Road.

Bob Lyon's men have slipped back to second in division one, one point behind Alfreton, but are keen to reclaim pole position.

And with Glapwell poised just above the danger zone they could pick up the three points they desperately need to get back on track.

In division one, Tadcaster Albion face a trip to the east coast to take on Bridlington Town.

Both sides are tucked into mid-table, but a victory for Taddy would help increase the buffer between themselves and the sides battling at the bottom.

Nestl Rowntree face a tricky looking home tie against Wetherby Athletic in the premier division of the West Yorkshire League.

But Nestl, who currently share top spot with Horsforth St Margarets and last season's champions Carlton Athletic, are aiming to pick up maximum points.

"Wetherby are a decent side but we've got to pick points where we can," said assistant boss John Reynolds.

"All the teams have games in hand on us, but a victory tomorrow would see us enter the new year top of the table."

Harrogate Town will have their promotion-winning credentials put under close scrutiny when they entertain fallen giants Leek Town.

It is not long since Leek were in the Football Conference. However, a torrid few seasons has seen them drop down the league standings - including relegation from the premier division of the UniBond League last year.

But the Staffordshire side are currently enjoying a revival of fortunes are among the chasing pack in division one.

"It will be hard. They are an unknown quantity, in the terms of playing, to us as we will be to them," said Town boss John Reed. "But we know all about their past.

"It will be a big game, and all I can ask for is that we can put in a similar performance to our victory over Ashton, where we worked hard and played the ball."

Reed is hoping to have former Rotherham midfielder Darren Beasley in his side for the clash after he was released by Airdrie.

Reed is also waiting on international clearance on a second Scottish-based midfielder who is currently playing for Hamilton.

Updated: 12:15 Friday, December 28, 2001