PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall has warned that the Pikes will have to keep an eye out for Penistone Church’s “massive lads” when the sides square up in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Town come into the game fresh after having their home league clash against Harrogate Railway Athletic called off because of a frozen pitch, with Marshall revealing he gave his team the weekend off rather than risk injury to his already stricken squad.

Pickering remain in fourth spot, however, as only one premier division game was played, AFC Mansfield making the most of the opportunity with a 4-2 win at Parkgate which took them into top spot.

The Pikes’ last fixture came on Tuesday last week at home to Redcar Town in the first round of the North Riding Senior Cup, where goals from Joe Danby, Danny Gray and Cameron Mulhearn secured a 3-1 win after going behind to Nico Weatherall’s penalty.

Pickering have been busy off the pitch, however, with midfielder Joey McCormick having officially parted ways with the club. He had been playing with Goole for the past six weeks, but has now followed former Pikes Callum Terrell and Sam Denton to Barton Town.

Marshall mentioned his good relationship with Barton counterpart David Ricardo and suggested it has helped produce positives for all parties.

He said: “It’s just a few players who weren’t getting enough game time with us, and Barton are looking for players. It’s good to help other managers out.”

Tomorrow’s opposition currently sit 11th in the division, but have won their last six games on the bounce.

Marshall commented: “They’re doing well. They’re a strong team with some massive lads. They pose a threat from set pieces, so we’ve got to be on our guard against that.”

Division one promotion-hopefuls Selby Town ran out 5-0 winners at Rossington Main last weekend, with Joe Dale netting four times.

Tomorrow, the Robins are at home to 18th-placed FC Bolsover, who had six points deducted in August for twice fielding a suspended player.

The Derbyshire side have lost nine of their last twelve games, but won their two most recent fixtures.

Tadcaster Albion travel to Evo-Stik League north’s second-bottom side Ossett Albion after having last week’s clash at table-toppers South Shields postponed.

The Unicorns also had their game called off last week. The previous Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Mossley was their first in 10 attempts.

North division high-fliers Scarborough Athletic return to league action against Ossett Town tomorrow after their 2-0 home North Riding Senior Cup win over Marske United.

A win for the Seadogs could take them as high as second, while Town are looking to arrest their run of three consecutive defeats.

Harrogate Railway Athletic host mid-table Worksop Town tomorrow, having risen to 20th in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Division one leaders Knaresborough Town visit sixth-placed Shirebrook Town tomorrow. Neither team played last week.

Third place in the National League North meets third in the National League as Harrogate Town visit Wrexham tomorrow in the Buildbase FA Trophy first round.