PAUL MARSHALL was far from downhearted despite watching his Pickering Town outfit fall to a 3-0 defeat at Handsworth Parramore in his first game in charge of the Northern Counties East League Premier division outfit last weekend.

A brace from Kieran Wells and a Jon Froggatt strike saw the Pikes come away from Worksop with nothing but Marshall still saw enough to be encouraged the club can enjoy a good season - starting with FA Cup victory on Sunday against Thornaby.

"I am not disappointed from my point of view," the Mill Lane manager said. "I thought we were outstanding but they scored two wonder goals. We couldn't do anything about them.

"After that, we were far the better team. We played more football, we passed the ball really well and were just a bit unlucky really. I thought we were the better team from 30 minutes onwards."

The Pikes have been bolstered by the signings of striker Calum Ward and goalkeeper Peter Lawrie from his old stamping ground of Tadcaster Albion and Marshall added: "Calum was obviously disappointed that he wasn't in the Tadcaster squad last Friday night and I moved quickly. Tadcaster were very co-operative in getting the transfer done.

"He's still raw and wears his heart on his sleeve and he will score 20 goals this season. You need goalscorers and I am very pleased we have been the benefactors of this. I have released goalkeeper Sam Dodds because Peter also became available.

"Sam said he didn't want to be a number two. Arran is away this weekend for the FA Cup tie and Peter will get his chance to show he is better than Arran. Peter will be a good keeper. Sam gives us more experience but I think Arran was always going to be slightly ahead in the race to be number one."

The Pikes entertain Northern League second division outfit Thornaby at the Recreation Ground in the extra preliminary round of the world's most famous cup competition.

Marshall, who will only bring in Lawrie for Reed from the squad that faced Handsworth, is expecting a tough afternoon against Teesside-based opponents.

"These sides are really tough and we need to take the form from the last 60 minutes against Handsworth into this game," he said. "We have to take the positives and if we can get a goal and get in front we will give most teams a game.

"If you get behind against quality opposition it is difficult to get back into it."

Elsewhere, Selby Town host Grimsby Borough in NCEL division one and Knaresborough Town entertain Westella VIP. In National League North, Harrogate Town host Hednesford Town looking to build on their midweek victory over Gainsborough Trinity.

The Evo-Stik League season gets under way with Droylsden travelling to Station View to take on Harrogate Railway and Scarborough Athletic travelling to New Mills.