SOME would say that Tadcaster Albion are a big fish in the small pond of the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Unfortunately for the league leaders, the presence of fish on the pitch at Ings Lane prevented the pumping off of excess water, which led to the postponement of their FA Vase tie against Worksop Town.

Manager Billy Miller is hopeful that tomorrow’s home game against Clipstone will go ahead.

“The main water is off the pitch now, but lots of the pitch is still brown and dirty,” he explained. “It’s frustrating more than anything. It’s put a stopper on us as we were playing very well.

“All we can do is train properly, be professional and prepare as best we can but nothing beats playing.”

The former Harrogate Railway chief believes the adversity the Brewers have faced in recent weeks has brought the best out of the club’s ownership.

“It’s a very community orientated club and that comes from the top down,” Miller said. “I think we have the best owners around.

“Matthew Gore’s commitment is phenomenal. He is always down there, helping out. That’s a great style of leadership.”

Albion will once again be at full strength for the visit of fourth-placed Clipstone, who have a formidable away record - having won six and lost none of their games on the road.

Miller credits his team’s ‘impeccable’ discipline, which sees them sit joint top of the Fair Play league.

“Picking up bookings has got to be a big no-no and I’ve been a real stickler about it,” he explained.

Elsewhere, Pickering Town climbed to ninth place after a 4-2 win at Garforth Town.

Calum Ward and Lewis Taylor propelled the Pikes 2-0 in front. Paul Marshall has repeatedly expressed his frustration at his side’s tendency to let opponents back into games and they did so once again as the Miners hauled themselves level at 2-2.

A late injury-time brace from Ged Dalton sealed the win, Pickering’s fifth in six league games.

The Pikes welcome Maltby Main to the Recreation Ground tomorrow. Nathan Kamara returns from suspension, while Ash Hope serves a one-game ban.

Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo is heartened by his side’s improving defensive displays in NCEL division one.

The Robins have kept three clean sheets in their last four games. They drew 0-0 with Hallam at Flaxley Road on Tuesday night following another goalless draw against Hall Road Rangers at the weekend.

Ricardo said: “Since we’ve put the emphasis on the defence, our record has really improved which is pleasing. We can be more clinical at the moment and move things quicker - to be more decisive.

“We can’t forget our limits. We only have one session and a game to work with the players each week, so we are very much limited by this.”

Selby’s efforts to rev up their attacking efforts will be severely hampered by the loss of top scorer Craig Muirhead, who looks set to sit out for at least two or three weeks. Paul Jones has also picked up an injury.

Selby sit in 15th place and will be looking to heap further woe on bottom side Lincoln Moorlands Railway, who have tasted defeat in each of their last 15 outings.

“I don’t think Lincoln are the worst team we’ve played this season, I think Worsbrough Bridge probably were," Ricardo added.

“They’ve lost their last 15 but a lot of those were by the odd goal. If we play like we can, we’ll win but we’ll just have to see what tomorrow brings."