THE in-form towns of Selby and Pickering go head to head on Saturday in arguably the most intriguing tie of the round in the FA Vase.

Pickering, buoyed by their 1-0 FA Cup win over Crook Town in midweek, have now gone 22 games undefeated on a run stretching back to the end of last season.

But despite that amazing run and the fact Selby lost for the first time this season last Saturday, the Robins will probably start as slight favourites for Saturday's second qualifying round tie.

Last week's 2-0 home defeat to UniBond outfit Gretna came in the FA Cup, but in the Northern Counties East League premier division the Robins occupy top spot having lost none and drawn just one of their opening five games.

The Pikes are sweating on the fitness of Gary Chapman (hamstring) and Mark Wood (dead leg) although both are expected to be available.

Despite having not tasted defeat for so long, Pickering manager Jimmy Reid is still looking for more from his team.

"We have done ever so well but tomorrow is a game where the boys will have to step up that bit more," he said.

"Selby are flying at the moment so it promises to be a good game."

Harrogate Railway, another side in good form, will be looking to make it a memorable week of cup success.

Railway have home advantage for their Vase tie with Brodsworth and will be looking to repeat the form that saw them overcome Winsford United 4-1 in the FA Cup in midweek.

Former York City and Scarborough defensive linchpin Steve Richards is reportedly in the running for the job of manager at Goole.

Richards resigned as boss at Farsley Celtic last week, who currently prop up the UniBond first division while Goole, who entertain Hallam in the FA Vase tomorrow, sacked manager Peter Daniels last week.

Tadcaster Albion entertain Hatfield Main in the Vase with manager Wayne Day looking to his reshuffled pack to maintain the form shown in midweek when they went out of the NCEL Cup 6-4 to Rossington Main.

"We played very well which sounds crazy when we have conceded six," said the Albion chief, who saw also his side lose 4-0 in the league last Saturday.

"But four of their goals came from individual errors and we perhaps made just five or six errors the whole game.

"The pleasing thing was we kept going right to the final whistle and the difference in commitment from Saturday was tremendous."

Day made a number of changes in midweek with Steve Bortoft enjoying an excellent debut and Martin Shaw, in his first senior game since February, also playing well.

Midfielders Lee McGuire and Malcolm Bolland are still unavailable while defender Russ Lamb is at a wedding. However, Lamb's absence is softened by the return of Paul James.

Harrogate Town will be looking to maintain their blistering form in the UniBond League first division when they travel to table-toppers Rossendale United tomorrow.

Town are unbeaten since the opening day of the season and on the back of a five-match winning streak have climbed to fourth in the table.

Rossendale, who cemented the top-spot in midweek with a 4-0 win at Gretna, are sure to test Town's record.

However, manager John Reed is adamant his team have nothing to fear.

"They've taken 20 points from their eight games and so must be a very good side," he admitted.

"But we need to keep this run going and we are being very positive. We will be going there for the win, that is for sure."

Former Leeds United youth winger Andy Wright is poised to make his full debut for Town after coming off the bench in the midweek 2-0 win over Guiseley.

Almost certainly ruled out though is star performer Scott Bonsall, who was on the wrong end of a bruising challenge in the 3-2 FA Cup win over Salford City last week.

In the West Yorkshire League premier, Nestl Rowntree will be looking to end their run of three successive defeats when they take on Whitkirk Wanderers.

The blow of losing at Mount St Mary's last week was perhaps made worse for Trees by the news defending champions Carlton also lost.

"It would have been a chance for us to make up some points," admitted assistant boss John Reynolds.

"We need to get back to winning ways, but there is no sense of panic. There is still a long way to go."

Knaresborough Town face their longest haul of the season when they travel to Wakefield.

With three wins, three draws and juts one defeat from their opening seven league fixtures, Town will be looking to maintain their promising start to the season.

In division one of the WYL, York RI travel to Barwick.

Tomorrow's sqauds:

Harrogate Town (at Rossendale United): from Connor, Hill, Atkinson, Ball, Hudson, McNaughton, Aspin, Lord, Wright, Merris, Whellans, Blackstone, Albery, Richards, Dunn

Pickering Town (v Selby Town): from Hill, Reid, McMillan, Thornton, Sturdy, Wilgrass, Farthing, Connor, McAuley, Zoll, G Chapman, O'Reilly, Wood, Wash, Wilson, Dickinson.

Tadcaster Albion (v Hatfield Main): from Adamson, Hook, Bortoft, Hicks, James, Hill, Ward, Shaw, Wilson, Batley, Duckworth, Gerome, Howley, Day, Howson

Nestl Rowntree (at Whitkirk, players meet Ainsty 12.45pm, kick-off 2.30pm): from Smallwood, Cox, Hodson, Dewhirst, Ellis, Durkin, Terry, Bond, Raynor, Harvey, Kilner, AN Other.

Knaresborough Town (at Wakefield, kick-off 2.30pm): Ambrose, Holtman, Anderson, Wilson, Ellerker, Clifford, shaw, Lazenby, Weatherall, Darvill, Walker, Thornton, Broadwith, Bebb.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, September 21, 2001