NCEL: Tadcaster Albion expecting no favours from former boss in North Yorkshire derby

Tadcaster Albion boss Billy Miller is not expecting any favours from former boss Paul Marshall when the Brewers head to his new side Pickering Town on Saturday.
Tadcaster Albion boss Billy MillerTadcaster Albion boss Billy Miller
Tadcaster Albion boss Billy Miller

Marshall holds legendary status at Tadcaster after a seven-year spell in charge at the club – a spell which even saw him take over as chairman at one stage.

His tenure on Ings Lane ended after a failed promotion bid last season and he moved down the A64 to takeover at Pickering in the summer alongside assistant Denny Ingram, another Tad favourite.

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Miller and Marshall have held a long friendship in football and chatted at the funeral of popular Tadcaster barmaid Sonny Lang last week.

However, Miller insists that friendship will be put to one side when the pair meet on the touchline this weekend.

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Miller said: "I have known Marshy since his days at Harrogate Railway and we have had a good relationship ever since but you wouldn’t expect anything, certainly not in a game.

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"I am sure it will be a good day out, and fingers crossed the weather won’t stop it happening."

Paul Marshall was sacked by Tadcaster last summer and moved to Pickering TownPaul Marshall was sacked by Tadcaster last summer and moved to Pickering Town
Paul Marshall was sacked by Tadcaster last summer and moved to Pickering Town

Taddy bounced back to winning ways on Saturday as they held off a brave fightback from Barton Town Old Boys to retain top spot. And their title hopes got another shove in the right direction on Tuesday when second-placed Handsworth Parramore were held to a draw by fifth-placed Cleethorpes Town.

The form book weighs heavily in Miller’s favour for Saturday’s North Yorkshire derby and the Taddy boss also has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Albion hammered Pickering 4-1 at the i2i Stadium earlier in the season but Pickering have since risen up to eighth place in the NCEL Premier Division. Miller said: "I am expecting them to be much improved from the last time we played. It’s just another game, yes it’s a local derby and there’s bragging rights up for grabs, but in terms of where we want to be, it’s one of 42 other games.

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"They didn't panic when they weren't getting the results. Had they not had that rusty start, they would be right up there challenging.

Paul Marshall was sacked by Tadcaster last summer and moved to Pickering TownPaul Marshall was sacked by Tadcaster last summer and moved to Pickering Town
Paul Marshall was sacked by Tadcaster last summer and moved to Pickering Town

"We know the players will be right up for it on both sides but as a management team, it’s just one game we need to tick off."

Following Saturday’s crunch, Albion will tackle a resurgent Maltby Main away on Tuesday night. Miller’s troops thrashed the Rotherham side 6-3 at the i2i Stadium in August but Maltby have won four of their last six matches to rise into 11th place.

Meanwhile, tenth-placed Wetherby Athletic head to title challenging Carlton Athletic in the West Yorkshire Premier League on Saturday after a weekend without a fixture due to a league representative clash.

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In Division One, promotion chasing Sherburn White Rose were held 1-1 at Ilkley Town and head to Hartshead this weekend.

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