PICKERING Town are eyeing their own little page in the record books as they take on Stewarts and Lloyds for a place in the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

The Pikes have never reached the fourth round before, but victory tomorrow will see them in the hat and a step closer to the final.

However, they will first have to overcome a side boss Jimmy Reid admits he knows little about.

"It is a mega game for us, perhaps the biggest since me and Brownie (coach Steve Brown) have been at the club," said Reid.

"We don't know a great deal about them. They are in the bottom three of the league, but they beat Star FC, who are top of their league, in the previous round, so we are taking nothing for granted.

"Come 3pm tomorrow, we are going to go for it - it's a once in a lifetime chance.

"The last thing we want is to come off the pitch saying 'if only this...' or 'if only that...'"

Corby-based outfit Stewarts, who play in the Midlands Eagle Counties League, earned their chance for a trip to Pickering after seeing off Star 5-3 after extra time.

Mark Wood comes into the squad after finally overcoming a deep gash to the knee, while Paul Wilson also returns.

Selby Town boss will be after revenge against Goole when they entertain Steve Richards' men in the Northern Counties East premier division.

Selby crashed out of the League Cup after they suffered a 1-0 reverse against Goole a little under a month ago.

However, while Selby have had little joy in the cup, they have prospered in the league and are currently one point clear of rivals Hallam.

And with Hallam tied up in FA Vase action, along with third-placed Pickering, The Robins can extend their advantage further.

Goole, on the other hand, have been very much a Jeykll and Hyde team and need to rise to the occasion once more if they are to pull themselves clear of the scrap for survival down at the bottom.

Selby's Stuart Lee is definitely out of the clash and faces a long lay-off after damaging the tendons in his ankle.

Harrogate Railway are among the eight teams separated by seven points at the wrong end of the premier division and they travel to fellow strugglers Buxton.

Having enjoyed a fruitful run in the FA Cup and FA Vase, Railway are now labouring to take this form into the league and have subsequently dropped to 17th.

However, they do have the advantage of games in hand and boss Paul Marshall has set his side a target of going through December unbeaten.

But with Steve Hadden, Nigel Danby, Pete Wrigley (all injured), Adam Tye (work), Steve Davey (suspended) and Sal Njie (returned to Knaresborough Town) all unavailable, Rail will have to do it with the bare bones of a squad.

The resurgence of Tadcaster Albion comes under its stiffest examination when they entertain division one title-chasers Hall Road Rangers.

The Hull-based side are just three points off the top with the benefit of a game in hand. However, they will find themselves up against a Tadcaster side unbeaten in three and well-placed in mid-table.

Wayne Day's men will go into the match though knowing they have already seen off the challenge of Hall Road once this season - having beaten them 4-3 away in the opening clash of the 2001/02 campaign.

The West Yorkshire League premier division leaders, Nestl Rowntree, will attempt to maintain their grip on top spot when they entertain Beeston.

"We've always had difficult games against them in the past and I'm sure Saturday will be no different," said assistant-boss Jon Reynolds.

"We are the form team though. We've won our last seven league matches, so everybody is confident."

Nestl will give a debut to former York RI right midfielder Joe Gaughan.

Updated: 12:49 Friday, December 07, 2001