SENIOR service has come to the aid of West Yorkshire League premier division side York RI.

Former York City defender Steve Senior has joined the club for the rest of the season starting with a League debut at Whitkirk Wanderers tomorrow.

He appeared for the RI ranks in the Frank Webster Memorial trophy starring in the 3-2 win over South Bank and has now agreed to add some class and know-how to the club's midfield ranks.

Said RI assistant manager Graham Vickers: "His experience will be valuable to us and especially our youngsters."

Sheffield-born Senior made 195 appearances for City from 1980 to 1987 starring in the 1983-84 Division Four championship-winning side. He moved to Northampton Town in 1987 for £15,00 and also played for Wigan Athletic.

RI are confident of beating their hosts now that an inconsistent patch had been cured. "I think we have turned the corner," added Vickers.

WYL premier division rivals Nestle-Rowntree entertain Beeston St Anthony's after last week's 4-2 crash at Bramley, where their two-goal lead was wiped out by an "intimidatory" approach from their hosts.

'Trees' resolve should be stronger for home duty, especially with the welcome return of midfielder Neil Durkin. He has been out for almost four months with a serious leg wound, but is back in the squad and may get some part to play. Striker Paul Wilson, however, is out with damaged shoulder ligaments.

Goals are coming thick and fast for Knaresborough Town, and they will need to if they are to down a jinx.

Flying near the top of the WYL premier division and now through to the Whitworth Cup final, Knaresborough's campaign is bubbling.

But tomorrow they head for Magnet Sports, whom they have yet to beat on Tadcaster soil since Magnet's came into the WYL three seasons ago.

Struggling Harrogate Town will have to shuffle the ranks to cater for the loss of midfield mainspring Paul Cygan for the visit of promotion-chasing Witton Albion.

Cygan, who has been one of Town's most impressive performers in scramble for Unibond first division safety, starts a three-match ban imposed for a sending-off against Flixton earlier this month.

Another absentee is winger Colin Hunter, who has gone back to Guiseley after completing a month's loan.

Carr trouble has hit Pickering Town's quest for Northern Counties East League premier division points.

Regular goalkeeper Mick Carr misses the trip to Pontefract Collieries as he serves a week-ban for his dismissal against Selby Town last month.

Either Dave Woodhead or Simon Noble will deputise for the Pikes, who have slipped to fifth from bottom. Another casualty is Barry Meehan. He suffered serious knee ligament damage at Stockton and is now on crutches.

The strength of Selby Town's squad will be put to a searching test with two NCEL premier division games in three days.

Tomorrow's visit of Brigg, for which midfielder Darren Sheridan and full-back Scott Longley are available, is followed by a short haul to Pontefract on Monday.

Midweek action may be more on the mind of Harrogate Railway Athletic at home to Yorkshire Amateur. Their immediate NCEL first division opponents are visiting Yorkshire Amateur tomorrow, a game which ex-York City star Tony Canham will sit out with a calf muscle pull.

But on Tuesday The Rail head for Staveley and the first leg of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy first division final. The return game is at Station View on Monday, March 16. Both legs kick off at 7.45pm.

There is no NCEL fixture this weekend for Tadcaster Albion.

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