by Peter Martini

HARROGATE Railway kick off the Northern Counties East League season tomorrow turning to youth - and Iran - in a bid to boost their premier division hopes.

Railway struggled last term before beating the drop, but manager Paul Marshall has made a number of signings to strengthen the squad, and starts the season with no fewer than ten under-21 players.

The most notable newcomer, should international clearance come through, is 'keeper Ali Zadalihasan. Now nearing 20, "Amir" is a former Iran U18 player.

Marshall is also hopeful of signing Nestl hotshot Kevin Smith and fellow forward Joe Gardham from Bishopthorpe.

Matthew White has joined from Harrogate Town's academy, while Adam Tye has signed from Yorkshire Amateur.

York-based Kieron O'Brien and Jared Williams have signed from Farsley, while Tony Wetherall has come from Wetherby Athletic.

Railway entertain Denaby tomorrow and visit Buxton on Monday with Terry Shipway, an arrival from Stourbridge, added to the squad.

Liam Gray (ankle) and Lee Edmunds (groin) are set to miss out, while goalkeeper Ian Walker will play should Amir not make it.

Boss Marshall said: "I believe we're in a stronger position than last year and will be hoping to get a positive start to the season."

Division one champions Goole have climbed the pyramid in the last four years and are working to make their ground fit for the UniBond League, should on-field success continue.

Midfielder Craig Burdick has returned to Bridlington Town, but boss John Reed has recruited the experienced Clive Freeman, a Vase finalist with Brid, and Gary Hurlstone, another ex-Brid player who had a short spell at York City.

Andy Saville has come from Gainsborough and Simon Portrey from Garforth Town, while former trainees Scott Pickles and Eddie Anderson have signed from Scunthorpe and Sheffield United.

Goole kick off the campaign at home to Alfreton Town and visit Selby Town on Monday.

Selby Town, mid-table last season, have also added to their first team squad.

Manager Bob Lyon has signed Paul Roberts from Congleton and former Pontefract midfielder Ian Reidford from Brodsworth.

John Carter and Stuart Lee both return to the club, from Pickering Town and West Yorkshire League outfit York RI, respectively.

Striker Joe Depa and Alan Howard, brother of former Selby player Mike, join the Robins from local league football.

All the newcomers are in the squad for Selby's opening fixture at Buxton tomorrow, for which a bus leaves Flaxley Road at 11.30am (details on 01757 709075).

Goalkeeper Matthew Blair, who goes off to university next month, is set to start, though should he not recover from a knock suffered during Tuesday's 2-1 friendly win over Hatfield, then Matthew Potter will resume in goal. Shane Forrest, who is unavailable tomorrow returns for Monday's clash against Goole.

Pickering Town finished last season in the bottom half of division one, but manager Jimmy Reid is optimistic prior to the new term.

"It will be hard baptism at Hatfield, a club which has been revamped and who have a couple of ex-professionals running the team. We're looking to start the season without getting beat and anything more will be a bonus."

Reid will have to do without former York City professional Stevie Walters, who has moved to London, and Jeremy Groves, who has won a four-year scholarship in the US.

However, the Pikes have signed 'keeper Adam Mitchell from York RI, and have recruited former Scarborough trainee and Kingstonian player Alex Willgrass.

Reid will have ex-Notts County midfielder Gary Chapman as his playing assistant, while the Pikes' reserve team start their first campaign in the NCEL Reserve Division at Rossington Main.

Tadcaster Albion just escaped the re-election zone last season but have kept confidence in manager Wayne Day, who starts his fourth full season in charge.

Jim McCafferty and Ray Booth will assist him while Phil Worth is the new reserve team boss.

Experienced goalkeeper David Cheshire, a Vase semi-finalists with North Ferriby, has joined the club, while Matt Cressey, who has been for two years will an ankle injury, returns.

Other new players include striker Russ Garbutt from Tadcaster Magnets, 'keeper Andy Pickering from Otley Town and midfielders Rich Horsley, Darren Hunte and Joe Solich.

Cheshire will start tomorrow's game with Rossington Main, in place of Carl Forrester (back), who is out indefinitely.

Cressey, however, has hamstring trouble and, with Lee Maguire (shin), will have a late fitness test. Definitely out are defenders Johnny Hill (knee) and Kelvin Gilks (holiday), while Darren Hunte (knee) is also doubtful. New players Tino Azeem and Jaz Bogul stand by.

Boss Day said: "We've been static in the league for the last three years but we've now got a number of players who will improve the squad.

"It would take a brave manager to say we're going to go up; we all want that but you have to be realistic and take one step at a time. Getting above half-way would be good progress and we can build on that."