NESTL Rowntree will enter the lion's den when they take on Cargo Fleet Social Club in the semi-final of the North Riding County FA Cup.

As apt as that sounds for a team which plays out of the factory famous for the Lion chocolate bar, a sweet encounter is the last thing the Nestl players can expect as the competition hots up.

Assistant boss Jon Reynolds is in no doubt about the task facing his players as they close in on the title they pin-pointed as wanting to win at the start of the season.

"It is going to be tough," he told the Evening Press. "Like us, they are third in their league (Teesside League) and are the top scorers.

"But in the competition so far they have beaten last season's winners, Kirkbymoorside, and New Marske, who are another very good side.

"We are going there knowing what to expect - they are going to be a strong, physical side who like to score goals."

Having beaten the likes of Thornaby, Edgehill and Richmond Town to get to this stage, the West Yorkshire League premier division side have shown they can turn on the skills when needs be.

However, Nestl will have to do without the talents of left-sided defender Will Kilner, who is away touring Europe. Lee Naggs steps up from the second team to fill his shoes.

Winning is becoming almost as natural as breathing to Harrogate Town at the moment.

The Wetherby Roaders have gone 21 UniBond League division one games without defeat, winning their last seven on the bounce, and are in the semi-finals of two cup competitions.

And they will fancy their chances of improving this record when they visit struggling Kendal Town.

Boss John Reed will be able to select from full strength, with Iain Dunn fit again after a hamstring strain and player-coach Neil Aspin shaking off a thigh injury.

Meanwhile, Town target Clint Marcelle has turned down the offer to join Macclesfield. The Trinidad and Tobago striker is currently in a dispute over his contract with Darlington, where he is no longer part of the Third Division club's plans.

Pickering Town know they can ill-afford another defeat in the Northern Counties East League premier division when they travel to Arnold Town.

With five games in hand on leaders Alfreton Town, the Pikes are certainly not out of the race just yet - but any more defeats would leave Jimmy Reid's men with a huge mountain to climb.

He said: "Our next three games are all winnable so I'm looking for nine points."

Another side whose title hopes are hanging by a thread are Selby Town, who entertain Denaby on the back of a shock 3-1 defeat by Brodsworth.

Bob Lyon's third-placed team are beginning to pay the price for drawing so many games and although they have a game in hand on leaders Alfreton, they have played four more than Pickering, with whom they lie level on points.

Harrogate Railway are expecting a tense atmosphere when they journey to Goole.

The last clash between the two sides ended in a 4-4 draw after the Railwaymen came back from 4-1 down, but Goole felt they had cheated to score the last goal.

And Rail boss Paul Marshall is expecting Goole to seek their revenge.

"It is going to be a highly charged game because of what happened at our place," said Marshall.

Railway will be light on the ground in the terms of numbers, as Darron Morris has returned to Ossett Albion, Andy Moores is working and Kevin Smith has damaged a finger.

Knaresborough Town face another derby when they welcome Ripon City Magnets to Manse Lane for their WYL premier division tie.

Updated: 12:00 Friday, February 15, 2002