Harrogate Town and boss Mick Hennigan have a major score to settle tomorrow when UniBond League division one leaders Vauxhall Motors visit Wetherby Road.

The Cheshiremen hammered Town 8-1 when the sides met in October, handing Hennigan his heaviest managerial defeat.

It came at a time when Town were rebuilding following the departure of Dave Fell.

It was an embarrassing blow to morale, but Town have since continued to climb the ladder and they will be gunning for revenge.

Hennigan's assistant John Reed - who joined the club a month after the thrashing - said: "He (Hennigan) took over a team which was on the floor and struggling, but even so if I had got beat 8-1 I would have been ripping dressing room walls down.

"It's fair to say we've got a little score to settle. We've got over the terrible traumas at the club and we're on the way up.

"We've won every game at home since I've been at the club, apart from a draw against Guiseley, and we want to keep that record."

Harrogate's last match was a 4-2 defeat at second-placed Bradford Park Avenue ten days ago, since when Reed has brought Mark Barrass and Bradford PA left-back Stephen Ball to the club.

Barrass, a right-sided player signed from North Ferriby United last week, is in the squad tomorrow, while former Leeds United trainee left-back Ball, who joined this week, will definitely start.

Reed added: "It was a shoddy performance against Bradford and for some reason we had no desire or will to win, and I will keep adding to the squad if people let me down. I'm looking for a massive improvement."

Third-placed Goole go into the game of the day in the Northern Counties East League against second-placed Brigg Town knowing a defeat would effectively end their chances of promotion to the UniBond League.

Harrogate Railway, beaten 2-1 by Goole last week thanks to a disputed late winner, will look to bounce back at home to relegation candidates Armthorpe Welfare.

Boss Paul Marshall said: "We've lost two league games in a row and I don't want the rot to set in."

Utility player Ian Edwards returns to the first-team squad in place of Ian Hutton, who drops into the reserves.

Selby Town defender Andy Hart completes his six-week suspension as the Robins entertain mid-table rivals Glasshoughton Welfare. Boss Bob Lyon has no new injury worries.

Pickering Town will want to avoid derby day blues and get their show back on the promotion road with victory over Bridlington Town in NCEL division one.

The Pikes, who were not in action last week, were leapfrogged at the top of the table by Hall Road Rangers, and will want to put the pressure back on with victory over local rivals Brid.

Boss Jimmy Reid said: "They beat Pontefract 2-0 last week so will be up and ready for it. We beat them 2-0 at our place last season and they beat us 1-0 at theirs, so it will be tight."

Nestl Rowntree boss Jim Collis has admitted his side have a job to reclaim their West Yorkshire League title after returning from holiday to find his side had lost ground in the race.

However, he refuses to throw in the towel as his side bid for a hat-trick of championship victories.

Nestl lost 3-1 to leaders Carlton a fortnight ago when Collis, holidaying in Tenerife, thought they were taking on a lesser outfit.

He explained: "We were supposed to be playing Wetherby Athletic but the league switched the fixtures after I'd gone on holiday. I knew nothing about it until after the event.

"If I had known I would have been on the phone to (assistant boss) Jon Reynolds with a different line-up."

But he added: "I don't believe in throwing in the towel, although it's going to be a tall order for us."

Nestl visit Wakefield tomorrow (kick off 2.15pm) and show a number of enforced changes.

Goalkeeper Neil Smallwood is out for five weeks through work commitments and suspension, so new signing Mark Howlett takes over.

Knaresborough Town will look to end a poor run with a home victory over Aberford Albion, bouncing back from last week's 1-0 home defeat by lowly Mount St Mary's, while basement club York RI entertain Nostell Miners Welfare.

Pickering Town Under-19s visit Northern U19s Alliance League leaders Emley on Sunday (kick off 2pm).

Updated: 12:19 Friday, February 09, 2001