NEW faces and an outbreak of butt-kicking will provide the double spur to Harrogate Town's pursuit of the UniBond League first division crown.

Town's midweek defeat at home to Chorley - their first loss at Wetherby Road all season - was described by manager John Reed as a 'major blip', even though his table-toppers remain well ahead of their nearest rivals.

But tomorrow Reed's raiders head for Ossett Town, currently in third place and the team that can most threaten Harrogate's hopes of championship glory if they were to win all their remaining games.

So to prevent a further slip Reed is likely to attract several new faces to his talented squad ahead of Sunday's transfer deadline and Easter Monday's return to home duty against another tough outfit, Spennymoor United. And if the inclusion of fresh blood does not get the message across then tomorrow's pre-match talk should reinforce the point.

Declared Reed: "This is the biggest game of our season - without a question.

"Ossett Town are our biggest rivals. They have not been beaten for 11 matches and they are a big, physical side, so we are going to have to sharpen ourselves up.

"If I have to kick some behinds then I will kick them - and hard. There will be some harsh words spoken tomorrow."

Reed singled out Ossett Town's right-winger Matthew Smithard as the main menace.

Formerly on Leeds United's books Smithard was a contemporary of Noel Whelan, Jamie Forrester and ex-York City star Mark Tinkler in Leeds' FA Youth-Cup winning side of 1993. He even scored in the second leg win over a Manchester United side that included David Beckham, both Neville brothers, Nicky Butt and Robbie Savage.

"If we don't get on top of him we could be in trouble," said Reed, who is also looking to give a trial to Pickering Town's promising play-maker Danny Farthing.

"We have to be on the top of our game, and I am sure we will be."

Despite the midweek demise against Chorley, Harrogate can still set a new UniBond points record. Victories in their remaining 11 games would give them a total of 105 points, smashing the first division record of 102 jointly held by Colne Dynamos and Stalybridge Celtic.

Town have already beaten their own club record number of points since joining the UniBond League in 1987 when they went past the 64-mark.

An exacting Easter is also on the cards for Harrogate Railway Athletic as they bid to enhance their Northern Counties East League premier division status.

The Rail entertain not just the leaders, but also the second-placed team too in a home double starting with the visit of Alfreton Town tomorrow and then Brigg Town on Monday.

Manager Paul Marshall admitted being 'apprehensive' about the brace after his side's dip in form since their League Cup quarter-final exit to Arnold Town earlier this month.

Since then they have drawn three games, though the last share-all - 2-2 at Denaby where Steve Davey's double-strike took him to 32 goals this term - was far more heartening a display.

Tomorrow's visitors Alfreton however boast a goal-gathering G-force of the premier division's two leading hit-men - Mick Goddard and Mick Godber. Both were on target in the midweek 5-1 battering of second-placed Brigg Town.

And to add to The Rail's misgivings they are missing skipper Danny Aymes for the home holiday double due to family commitments.

Even more depleted are Selby Town. They are literally down to the bare bones for a run of four games in the next eight days starting with a trip to Hallam tomorrow followed by a home clash against Armthorpe on Monday.

Said manager Bob Lyon: "After that we've also got home games against Pickering Town (Wednesday) and then Liversedge (Saturday, April 6) plus a reserves' quarter-final on Tuesday.

"It's a case of all hands to the pump. Anyone who is fit and available will be in the squad. I'm even thinking about having to bring my boots with me.

"It's a pity we have all these injuries as I believe if we could string three wins together then third place could be ours."

The lone consolation for the Robins is that one-time York City junior Stuart Lee could be back for the first time since before Christmas to shore up central defence.

Currently in third place Pickering Town are still trying to lure centre-back Chris Hodgson from Harrogate Town in time for a holiday one-two that takes them to Glapwell tomorrow before playing host to Borrowash on Monday.

Said manager Jimmy Reid: "We are trying to get Hodgson here for the rest of the season, but we just have to keep plugging away."

Goal-shy Tadcaster Albion have just one NCEL first division fixture over Easter when they welcome Bridlington Town to Ings Park tomorrow.

Still out of action is goalkeeper Andy Phillips, despite him figuring in two reserve games on his way back from a shoulder injury.

It's at the other end of the park where Tadcaster's main problems lie. Explained manager Wayne Day: "We are creating a hell of a lot of chances, but we are just not converting them.

"The ratio of goals to chances is the main concern, because if we took our chances then on our day we could beat anyone in this division."

After last week's anguish of having to call off a clash against Carlton Athletic because of a dearth of available players, Nestl Rowntree return to West Yorkshire League premier division duty tomorrow with a derby outing at Knaresborough Town.

Back for Trees are striker Steve ward, who has been suspended for the past five weeks, central defender Alex Dewhirst (work duty) and midfielder Lee Bond (injury).

Said assistant manager Jon Reynolds; "It was unfortunate to have to call off last week's game, but we felt we had no option. Now after that lay-off we are looking forward to going to Knaresborough, where we always have a good open game."

Updated: 11:14 Friday, March 29, 2002