TADCASTER Albion boss Paul Marshall reckons the pressure is firmly on title rivals Thackley as the two teams go head to head.

Taddy are top of the Northern Counties East League premier division after a 23-game unbeaten run and, although the likes of Bridlington and Brighouse can overhaul them by winning their games in hand, Marshall says his side sit pretty with points already in the bag.

Thackley, their hosts tomorrow, are also in the hunt but were downed 4-0 on Wednesday night at second-placed Barton Town Old Boys.

Said Marshall: “Thackley have games in hand, Brid have games in hand, Brighouse have games in hand – but they’re all dropping points.

“The pressure is on them not us.”

Having watched Thackley’s midweek match, he added: “They didn’t play as well as they can but a midweek night away from home is tough.

“They’re the ones who have to win the game and that might mean they leave gaps and hopefully we can exploit that.”

Will Pepper comes into contention after being unavailable last week against Heanor.

Another terrific recent run will likewise be tested as Pickering Town host Brighouse.

The Pikes have rattled in 22 goals in their last three games, culminating in the midweek 3-0 win over Armthorpe Welfare, which came courtesy of a first-half brace by Josh Greening and a second-half strike by Jimmy Beadle. The result lifted Mitch Cook’s men to sixth in the table.

However, those three games have come against teams in the bottom five who have a combined goals-difference of minus-183.

Brighouse, conversely, have top spot in sight.

Said Cook: “We expected it to be a bit more difficult on Tuesday (compared to the 11-0 and 8-1 wins over Lincoln Moorlands and Winterton respectively) but we again made chances, got three goals and could have had a couple more.

“It’s a good little run we’re on – three wins, 22 goals and one conceded, and you can add the League Cup win over Worsborough Bridge to that.

“We know, though, that tomorrow’s game will be very tough. Brighouse are up there with a lot of games in hand. They’re probably looking to win the league or at the least be right up there.

“But we know with the players we’ve got we don’t have problems making chances. It (the problem) is more at the other end but in the last few games we’ve done that okay as well.”