STAKES are high in the top of the table clash between Goole and Selby Town but the pressure is all on Selby according to Goole boss Paul Marshall.

Goole are currently top of the Northern Counties East League premier division with three games in hand and a point on second-placed Selby.

But despite coming into something of an injury crisis ahead of the game, Marshall is optimistic.

He said: "There's a bit of pressure on Selby to come and beat us because they have to catch us. It will be a very keen game for both sets of supporters because of the derby element to it so it all makes for a hotly contested match."

Already without Dave Watts, Gary Shaw (ankle) and Phil Walker (calf) have been tagged on to the Goole injury list following Tuesday night's narrow defeat to Halifax Town after extra time in the West Riding County Cup.

A draw at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds could open the door for Harrogate Railway to take over at the top of the table if they beat Maltby Main.

Manager Martin Haresign has three injury doubts to contend with. Scott Bairstow has tweaked a hamstring, Robbie Whellans injured his neck and Andy Shuttleworth has a groin problem, but Haresign is optimistic all three will come through.

Alex Mathie is looking to build on Pickering Town's steady rise up the NCEL Premier table at Eccleshill United.

As few changes as possible has seen the Pikes claw their way back up the table under the former York City man and consistency will still be the buzz word this weekend.

Recent signing Joe Gaughan has been ruled out by injury, while new addition 19-year-old Adam Fishwick will be looking to impress again for the reserves after his move from Tadcaster Albion.

Tadcaster head into part two of their back-to-back league games duel against table-toppers Sutton Town with question marks hanging over forward Steve Ward and centre-back Greg Anderson with Anderson the biggest concern.

But the prime focus for manager Jim Collis will be to obliterate the gaffes that cost them round one at Sutton on Saturday.

"Mistakes cost us the game last week," ventured Collis.

"If we can stamp them out then we could be a team that could beat anyone."

Updated: 11:21 Friday, December 03, 2004