Evening Press Sport

Nestl Rowntree face a testing start to the new Millennium with a tough trip to Beeston St Anthony's.

Beeston are one of only three teams this season to have beaten West Yorkshire League champions 'Trees, who are currently six points clear of nearest rivals Carlton at the top of the table.

"We got beat 2-1 and of the three teams to beat us this year they were perhaps the only ones who deserved it," recalled Rowntree manager Jim Collis.

"But we are a lot stronger now and I have virtually a full squad so I am hopeful we can get three points."

Collis revealed seven players from his side have now been approached by other clubs looking to sign his blossoming talent.

"I am happy for my players to play at a higher level but I am getting sick of these constant approaches," sighed Collis.

York RI will fancy their chances of beating lowly Rothwell Athletic at New Lane.

The glamour of the cup occupies the mind of Knaresborough Town who play host to Leeds-based outfit Mount St Mary's in the fourth round of the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup.

It will be Town's first match since the first week in December and the WYL premier division outfit will have to guard against complacency against St Mary's, who play their football in a division one of the league.

Leading the St Mary's attack will be sharp shooter Lee Parker, who scored 35 goals last season to add to 40 notched when a player with Churwell Lions the season previous.

St Mary's have also enjoyed taking some prized scalps in the competition, most notably that of Halifax side Stump Cross who currently top the West Riding County Amateur League division one table.

Harrogate Town will be looking to keep their promotion ambitions alive as they entertain Farsley Celtic in the UniBond first division.

Both sides have recorded good midweek results, Harrogate beating Whitley Bay 1-0 and Farsley trouncing Bradford Park Avenue 4-1. Town will be hoping for more of the same from former Queen Of The South striker Alex Nesovic who scored the winner against Whitley Bay with his first touch of the game after coming as a sub.

Selby Town have been hit by the flu bug so their line-up for the Northern Counties East League premier division match at home to lowly Maltby Main has yet to be finalised.

The illness robbed them of several players in Tuesday's 3-0 West Riding Cup defeat at Eccleshill which contributed to their downfall.

Dominic Moyles returned from suspension on Tuesday but fellow midfielder Chris Collier is out after limping off with an ankle injury and Mike Howard is unavailable.

Bottom club Harrogate Railway face a mammoth task to win at second placed Hallam.

It is vital for Pickering to take three points from their NCEL division one match at Rossington Main tomorrow according to Pikes manager Jimmy Reid.

"We have two games in hand but the three points are vital and we must get them," he said.

"Some people think our players are too nice, so maybe I should tell them to get a bit more tough."

There are doubts over Simon Sturdy (flu) and Richard Dale (groin strain). The situation will be clearer after training tonight. Jody Chapman has returned from a spell at Bridlington.

It's the clash of the Titans in division as Goole play host to Worsbrough Bridge.

Victory for leaders Goole would extend their eight point lead over second placed Worsbrough Bridge.

Tadcaster Albion have a good chance to move out of the bottom at home to Borrowash Victoria. Their last match ended in a 2-1 victory at Pickering and they will be looking to continue where they left off against a side just three places above them.

l New Earswick Under-19s have three matches in the next week, starting with a Northern Youth Academy game at home to Emley on Sunday.

On Tuesday, New Earswick have a league match at Frickley and then a week on Sunday they are at home to Farsley in the cup.

SQUADS

Saturday, kick-off 3pm unless stated.

Nestl Rowntree (at Beeston, kick-off 2.15pm. Players meet Rowntree 12.15pm, Ainsty 12.30pm): from Smallwood, Watkinson, Hodson, Graham, Dewhirst, Wain, Durkin, Haddon, Simpson, Ellis, Terry, Smith, Cowl, Dickinson, Harvey.

Pickering Town (at Rossington Main): Campbell, Reid, O'Reilly, Sturdy, Chapman, Gaughan, MacAuley, Graham, Pemberton, Wood, Dale, Thornton, Connor, Morton, Abblett.

Knaresborough Town (v Mount St Mary's, kick-off 2pm): from Dingwall, Young, Anderson, Sweetman, Sutton, Binks, Clifford, Holman, Mudd, Bradley, Cowan, A Brown, Perry.

Selby Town (v Maltby Main): Potter, Baxter, Newstead, Oldfield, Turner, Moyles, Wilson, Young, A Cygan, Amos, P Collier, Proctor, Tomlinson, Speight, Hart, P Cygan, Whalley.

Sunday

New Earswick Under-19 (v Emley): Hammond, Reid, Bowles, Garnham, Wright, Carter, Vine, Gray, Mears, Ward, Farthing, McKay, Reilly, Collins, Gordon, Sturgess, Gill, Dolan, Wadsworth. All players should ring manager Jimmy Reid on York (01904) 783725 or mobile 0802 801788.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.