THERE will be a school reunion when Selby Town and Goole meet in the Northern Counties East League Cup tomorrow.

Town boss Bob Lyon and his Goole counterpart Steve Richards were the centre-backs for rival secondary schools Selby and Snaith.

But they will meet again at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds as opposing managers for their respective sides.

"We used to play each other at school. I saw a picture of him in the paper the other day and he hasn't changed a bit," said Lyon. "I doubt he will recognise me though with all the grey hairs I've got!"

Richards, who went on to play for York City, Hull City, Scarborough and Halifax, before taking up management with the likes Guiseley and Frickley in the UniBond League, took up the post at Goole at the end of September.

And with him he has brought a number of new faces to a side which lost 2-1 to Selby in the league earlier in the season.

"I know they've had a lot of changes in personnel, especially on the playing front," said Lyon. "It will be a different team to the one we faced back at the start of the season."

Having seen their runs in the FA Cup, FA Vase and the President's Cup all brought to premature ends, Lyon is hoping to see his side do well in the NCE League Cup.

"It would be nice it we could put together a run in this competition because after getting knocked out of the President's Cup, all we have left is the County Cup and the League Cup," added Lyon.

Stuart Lee could be back, but there are doubts over Shane Forrest as he picked up a knock to his knee playing Sunday football.

Pickering Town may be down to the last 64 in the FA Vase, but this is not stopping boss Jimmy Reid chasing further silverware in the NCE League Cup.

"I'd like a nice run in this competition," he said. "It is a good, little cup, with only 32 teams in it, which means four wins and you are in the final."

Tomorrow's opponents Buxton may be on a bad run in the premier division at present, but The Pikes chief is refusing to be complacent.

"Buxton are in a bad spell, but so were Liversedge when we went there and lost," added Reid.

Harrogate Town boss John Reed has stepped into help ease Harrogate Railway's injury crisis.

Reed has offered Railway counterpart Paul Marshall the services of ex-Accrington Stanley midfielder Paul Stansfield, and the talented youngster has gone straight into the squad for tomorrow's League Cup clash at Winterton Rangers.

Marshall is without the services of Nigel Danby, Mark Watkinson, Steve Haddon, Danny Ames and Sal Njie, while Peter Wrigley is just beginning his come back in the reserves. However, Ian Hart is back off holiday.

Railway travel to Scunthorpe-based Winterton, who play in NCEL division one, for their 11th cup tie of the season, but there is no let up from Marshall.

"I want to win every game," he said. "We got to the quarter-finals of this competition last season before going out to the eventual winners Sheffield in extra-time, so I'd like us to go on from there.

"It won't be easy. They play in the division below, but have picked up of late and beat Tadcaster Albion on Saturday, so I'll give Wayne Day (the Tadcaster boss) a ring for some information."

A 14-match unbeaten run may have seen Harrogate Town rise to third sport in division one of the UniBond League, but that has not stopped boss John Reed laying down the law to his squad.

Town have not lost in the league this season, since the first game - ironically against tomorrow's visitors Lincoln United - but Reid is not ready to accept any let up now.

"This is the biggest game of the season to me," said Reed. "It is the biggest as a club, for the players and as a test of character."

Reed has added Neil Aspin and Craig Elliott to the squad.

Nestl Rowntree at full strength for their North Riding Challenge Cup second round tie at home to Scarborough-based outfit Edgehill.

Elliott Simpson, Brent Terry and Martin Cowl are all available after injury to add the confidence at the club at the moment.

"They are a decent side and got to the semi-finals last season," said assistant-boss Jon Reynolds. "But we are meeting them at the right time, we are playing very well at the moment and we'll be back to full strength."

York RI will attempt to pull themselves away from the danger zone in division one of the West Yorkshire League when they face Rothwell Town.

Victory will see York, who currently lie in the penultimate place in the table, pull level with tomorrow's hosts.

Updated: 11:46 Friday, November 16, 2001