PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall is set to make a decision on the future of trialist Ben Hirst next week.

Striker Hirst, 18, has been training with the Pikes following his release by York City and scored twice in a friendly last week against Tadcaster Albion.

He will be given another opportunity to impress tomorrow night against Pocklington Town before completing his trial against Scarborough Athletic next Tuesday night.

Marshall said: "He has done well and it seems like he has got the excitement back or the game that he lost at York.

"He's still young and, if we feel he can add something to the squad this season, we will look to keep him. But I do think he could be a good impact player."

Hirst made his debut in the Football League two years ago and played five times for York under former manager Nigel Worthington.

He struggled for first team opportunities in the wake of Worthington's departure, however, and spent a period on loan at Scarborough Athletic last season.

Commenting on his performance against Tadcaster, Marshall said: "It was very pleasing. It was his first game for us and he scored twice in 30 minutes, hitting one goal that was a real 'worldy!'"

Although Pickering lost 4-3 to last season's League champions, Marshall said there were many positives to come out of the game.

The Town manager is now looking to develop a team shape that best suits his players over the remaining pre-season games.

In action last night at Knaresborough Town, Town will take a young team - including several local trialists - to Pocklington tomorrow.

"They are in a league below - but they will be trying like hell to put one over us," said Marshall.

The new season's fixtures are due to be released on Friday afternoon by the Toolstation Northern Counties East League.

Whitby Town, meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 defeat in their first pre-season friendly game at home to Northern League first division side South Shields.

Whitby are at home to Middlesbrough tonight, kick off 7.30pm, and away at Guisborough on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Scarborough Athletic won 2-0 against a Scarborough & District League XI last weekend. David Brown (pen) and Paul Beesley scored the goals.