PICKERING Town will be seeking a third consecutive league win this weekend against Garforth Town in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League premier division.

Although beaten in the FA Cup last week by Washington, the Pikes have collected six points from the opening three league games of the season and enjoyed back-to-back victories against Staveley Miners Welfare and, last weekend, Parkgate.

Manager Paul Marshall has also bolstered his squad in the last seven days with the signings of defender Russ Parker from Tadcaster Albion and former Harrogate Railway midfielder Robert Chipps.

Parker, who is still registered to Tadcaster, made his full debut in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Parkgate while Chipps was on the substitute’s bench.

Utility player Sam Lingard, meanwhile, joined this weekend’s opponents Garforth after failing to hold down a regular starting spot at Mill Lane.

The Pikes are currently 12th in the league table but still have at least a game in hand on most of their rivals and are only four points behind leaders Cleethorpes Town.

This weekend. they visit Garforth who are 11th in the table having played five games including a 4-0 defeat against Cleethorpes last weekend.

Elsewhere in the NCEL premier, Harrogate Railway lost 2-0 at home to Staveley Miners Welfare with Kieran Watson scoring both goals in the second half.

Selby Town and Knaresborough Town fought out a goalless draw in the Northern Counties East League first division.