PICKERING Town and Selby Town face a hectic run-in to the Northern Counties East League premier division campaign with the first of two games in the space of three days tonight, writes Tony Curtis.

The Pikes face a daunting trip to premier division champions - and UniBond League-bound - Bridlington Town, while Selby will look to catch Sheffield on the hop at the Coach and Horses Ground.

Steve Brown had set his Pickering side a target of 50 points for the season, and last week's 4-1 thumping of Selby has seen them move to within six points of that. Victory tonight would also propel Pickering up to 12th in the table.

With Harrogate Town having completed their season, Danny Farthing will be allowed to continue playing for the Pikes, having scored last Friday.

Selby, stung by that heavy defeat, will be hoping that Sheffield will be preoccupied by their forthcoming League Cup final against Ossett Albion ahead of tonight's clash.

With little to play for in the league, Sheffield could be forgiven for wrapping a few of their players in cotton wool ahead of next Tuesday's final, allowing Selby the chance to plunder the points.

Updated: 11:59 Thursday, May 01, 2003