Tadcaster Albion kick-start their season tomorrow with their first home game since October 7.

The club are now expecting a big crowd at Ings Park for the clash with promotion contenders Borrowash Victoria - not only to watch the football but also to see the newly refurbished clubhouse and changing rooms.

The floods last autumn ruined the pitch and devastated the club buildings to such an extent that £75,000 of renovation was needed.

At long last, the work has now been completed, problems with the water system have been sorted out, and the only thing left to do is mark out the pitch, which has finally dried out.

Manager and vice-chairman Wayne Day said: "The clubhouse is in pristine condition and the dressing rooms will be painted and finished. The league have inspected the pitch and the only thing we need to do is mark it out - so we're just hoping it doesn't snow too much.

"It's something we have waited for for a long time. Everybody is raring to go."

The Northern Counties East League division one outfit are rooted to the foot of the table having only played three games at home all season and 14 in total, four less than their nearest rivals.

Furthermore, NCEL bosses have said that with only two months of the season left, Tadcaster - who need to fulfil 25 home fixtures for the first team and reserves - might still have to play some of these games away from Ings Park.

However, this number will be kept to a minimum and Day said: "Everyone is so eager to get playing at home on a good surface that this is like starting the season again in a certain respect."

Furthermore, Day has completed three signings this week.

Kevin Duckworth has returned to Ings Park from premier division Glasshoughton, where he has been played out of position and was often on the bench, while fellow striker Mickey Amos has signed from UniBond League wannabees Ossett Albion.

He scored seven goals in 14 games at the end of last season but, like the third new signing, Mally Bolland, has not had a major look-in under the new boss at Ossett this term.

Bolland is a left-sided midfielder who played under Day at Ossett Town.

"All three will be good acquisitions. We haven't just signed them for the sake of it," said Day.

"Bolland will give us good balance on the left, while Duckworth and Amos will boost our attacking options, with goals having been hard to come by."

He added: "With the enthusiasm of getting back on home soil plus the fact we've got three new players, I'm hopeful we can kick-start our year.

"I'd like to see a lot of people come down and see what we've done here and hopefully a combination of good football and facilities will encourage people to come on a regular basis."

Tomorrow's opponents, Borrowash, lie in fourth spot but with games in hand over the leaders and Day said: "They lost to Louth last Saturday and were beaten in the Wilkinson Sword in midweek by Bridlington. With our added enthusiasm plus the new faces we can keep their bad run going."

Pickering Town's promotion push comes under further scrutiny when they visit in-form rivals Bridlington.

Pickering, who lie second in the NCEL division one, follow up tomorrow's derby clash with a game against leaders Hall Road Rangers, and boss Jimmy Reid believes victory will set his side up well for a tough run-in.

"Brid are going well, have a new manager, some new players and in midweek beat Borrowash, who beat us a few weeks back. They've gone five or six games unbeaten and will provide a big test for us, but I'm sure we can rise to the occasion.

"We've got 14 games left and there is not an easy match among them. Games against Brid and Hall Road Rangers are the ones you judge yourselves."

Midfielder Richard Dale is doubtful with a hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, the Pikes have been drawn to play either Pontefract Collieries or Worsborough Bridge in the semi-finals of the NCEL Wilkinson Sword Trophy. Bridlington play Gedling or Parkgate in the other semi.

Harrogate Railway boss Paul Marshall has warned his side that defeat at home to Buxton tomorrow could throw them back into a relegation dogfight.

Railway have collected just one point in their last five NCEL premier division games and are now just seven points above the drop zone having played more games than their rivals below them.

They entertain a Buxton side, who are level on points but with a worse goal difference, knowing a victory was vital.

Marshall said: "If we were to lose we would be looking over our shoulders because we'd be getting dragged back into it.

"But if we win and then beat (fourth-bottom) Brodsworth next week to get six points it would give us some breathing space."

Marshall has set his side a target of 40 points for the season, which he believes will guarantee their premier division status.

"We ended last season with 39 and finished fifth-bottom, and I actually think 33 points will probably keep teams up this year. But we're aiming for 40 to keep us safe."

Inconsistent Selby Town, who lost 4-2 to second-bottom Staveley in midweek, will look to blow hot again tomorrow when they visit Hallam, who lie one place below them in the table.

York RI go into tomorrow's six-pointer at fellow West Yorkshire League premier division strugglers Rothwell confident of not only winning the game but also getting out of the relegation zone (kick off 2.30pm).

RI, bottom of the table ten points adrift of the safety zone, were unlucky to lose 2-1 to fourth-placed Whitkirk Wanderers last week, having had a goal disallowed. But assistant manager Nigel Rhodes believes more performances like that will stand them in good stead for the run-in.

Rothwell are also entrenched in the relegation mire, and Rhodes said: "If we play that well tomorrow we should win and if we carry on playing like that there is no reason why we can't pull clear."

Nestl Rowntree entertain Sandy Lane (kick off 2.30pm) with boss Jim Collis admitting he knew very little of the opponents' present side.

"A few years ago, Sandy Lane were a very good side and last year won division one. They were only relegated the year before because their ground didn't meet regulations," he said.

"But I was holiday when we played them at their place earlier in the season when we won 1-0, so I can't say too much about them."

Collis will be without 'flu victim Martin Cowl and Mark Watkinson, who is out with knee ligament damage. However, hot shot Brent Terry returns after missing two games.

Knaresborough Town have not had the best of times recently but get the chance to get back on track with a mid-table clash at Wakefield.

Updated: 16:47 Friday, March 02, 2001