PAUL MARSHALL expect no old pals act at Mill Lane on Saturday when Garforth Town visit to take on his Pickering Town side for a mid-table Northern Counties East League premier division clash.

Rob Hunter, who was named assistant to Garforth boss Adrian Costello before Christmas, was Marshall's number two during their successful years in charge at Tadcaster Albion, and they had also played together at Harrogate Town in the 1980s.

Marshall says Hunter, a former Tadcaster player, was the "catalyst" of the Brewers' rise out of NCEL division one back in 2010 after joining the management team there. They also lifted the President's Cup the following year.

He also says his old mate could have one up on him come Saturday's match as friendships are put to one side.

"Rob is a good pal of mine," said Marshall. "He was one of the catalysts at Tadcaster to get that club where they are today. He was my assistant when we took the club out of division one and he knows his stuff."

Asked if that accord will come into play this Saturday, Marshall said: "No, I don't think so. When he went to Glasshoughton Welfare as manager, we had some good games.

"He knows what I do so can combat my style of play. It will be interesting. But we will have a pint at the end of the game."

Saturday's match is the first of five consecutive home premier division games for Pickering. After their last league game with Thackley fell victim to the weather, the Pikes got back into action with a 2-0 win at Glasshoughton Welfare in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday night.

Joe Danby got them up and running after five minutes and Calum Ward made the game safe 15 minutes from the end.

The manager has not set a target for this current sequence of games, other than to say he was eager to take advantage of it - continuing with another three points this weekend to stay in the top half of the table.

Garforth are one place below, in 12th, nine points adrift but with three games in hand. The Pikes won the reverse encounter 4-2 thanks to two stoppage-time Ged Dalton goals.

Marshall said: "Our away form is quite good but you always need to take advantage of playing at home.

"We've lost to Cleethorpes, Handsworth, Worksop and Pontefract Collieries at home. Cleethorpes, Handsworth and Worksop are top teams. Losing to Pontefract was disappointing but apart from that we've done okay.

"We've no set targets (from this run of home games) but we're clear of Garforth and if we don't lose to them we will stay nicely in mid-table and in the top half ready to move forward.

"If Garforth beat us they get closer. Adrian (Costello) gets his teams fired up and they will fancy their chances. It will be a tough game."

Elsewhere, Knaresborough Town host Winterton Rangers in NCEL division one while, in Evo-Stik first division north, Scarborough Athletic host Prescot Cables and Harrogate Railway go to Radcliffe Borough.

Harrogate Town host Solihull Moors in National League North.