TABLE topping Tadcaster Albion are taking nothing for granted - despite proudly standing seven points clear at the summit of the Northern Counties East League premier division.

The Brewers dispatched another title seeking rival last weekend, easing past Heanor Town 3-0 at Ings Lane, and take a festive trip to Bridlington Town on Saturday as they look to extend their advantage.

It's a return to one of manager Paul Marshall's old stamping grounds and he is expecting a tough afternoon against a seaside outfit not yet out of the promotion picture in sixth place.

And while some might see Albion as having one foot in the Evo-Stik League, Marshall insists the job is only half done.

"We know we are the favourites but we have just got to understand that we are only half way through the season," he said. "Shaw Lane Aquaforce are still the team I think will be our main rivals."

On the challenge of Bridlington, Marshall added: "You are just hoping all the players look after themselves and don't eat too much (on Christmas Day). It's a game at my old club. I know their chairman Peter Smurthwaite well. They won 4-2 at Maltby and they beat Cleethorpes the week before they went and beat us."

Marshall praised frontmen Callum Ward and Carl Stewart, along with attacking players Josh Barrett and Josh Greening, for their work in a 4-4-2 formation in the Heanor win.

But he reserved special mention for goalkeeper Peter Lawrie and the club's back four, who were missing the presence of Denny Ingram in the heart of the defence.

He explained: "They were outstanding. Peter got the nod ahead of Tom Morgan and he performed heroically once again. Peter is only 21 and both goalkeepers are very, very good."

Marshall will once again be without Ingram, still serving a three match ban, and Jonathan Greening, who has left the club to join York City's academy set-up.

Tony Hackworth has targeted a full house of nine points from nine over the Christmas period after his Pickering Town side kicked off the festive fortnight by taking the first three.

Three cracking goals saw the Pikes beat ten-man Parkgate in the Northern Counties East League premier division last time out and next up is a quick-fire double-header against lowly Retford United, starting away this Saturday followed by a home return leg on the first Saturday of the new year.

Last weekend's 3-0 win ended a two-match losing run which shipped in ten goals.

Said Hackworth: "I'm delighted to get the three points on the board, especially on the back of two poor performances against Albion Sports and Cleethorpes.

"We needed to get back to winning ways. I set the lads a target going into New Year and that was the first one ticked off.

"We want nine points from these three games, so to get the first three is good. We didn't play particularly well but got the win and that will stand us in good stead going to Retford on Saturday."

Hackworth is set to travel with an unchanged squad, and added: "Retford are down there with Parkgate but they will be fighting for their lives so it will be tough."

Selby Town host Lincoln Moorlands Railway in NCEL division one in the first of back-to-back fixtures.

Elsewhere, Knaresborough Town to go Worsborough Athletic in NCEL division one tomorrow while, today, Harrogate Railway host Spennymoor Town in the Evo-Stik first division north.

Scarborough Athletic travel to Darlington 1883 in the same division. In Conference North, Harrogate Town will be hoping for a late Christmas present - and the end of a run of three straight defeats - when they play host to Guiseley.