PICKERING Town will be seeking to keep pressure on leaders Cleethorpes Town when they visit mid-table Worksop Town on Saturday afternoon (3pm) in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League premier division, writes Ian Appleyard.

Paul Marshall’s side are second in the table, with two games in hand, and closed the gap to nine points last weekend with a 5-0 victory over Barton Town Old Boys.

Cleethorpes, who had no league game last weekend due to involvement in the FA Vase, face a tricky trip to third placed Thackley on Saturday afternoon where three points are far from guaranteed.

The shock resignation of Nottinghamshire-based side Clipstone FC from the league last weekend is unlikely to have any impact on the race for the title.

All future games involving Clipstone, who currently lie 13th in the table, have been cancelled including their scheduled trip to Mill Lane on February 18.

Although the league’s management board have still to meet to consider the withdrawal, it is likely that all results against Clipstone so far this season will be expunged.

If that is the case, both Cleethorpes and Pickering will lose only one point each as both were involved in drawn games against Clipstone in September.

Third placed Thackley, however, will lose six points after completing the league double over Clipstone just last weekend.

Thackley’s assistant-manager Paul Clayton tweeted: “Sad to hear that a club has resigned league (sic) but even more galling is the effort we put in to get 3pts yesterday may now amount to zero.

“They had a good squad of 16 plyrs, Mgr, Asst Mgr (sic)” he tweeted. “Strange to play game then resign next day. Wonder why? “

No players currently registered with Clipstone will be allowed to register for any other NCEL club until the matter has been discussed by the league’s board.

It is also possible that the number of clubs relegated from the premier division this season will be reduced from three to two.

The Pikes hosted Northern League Division One side Marske United last night in the quarter finals of the North Riding County FA Senior Cup.