Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Pickering Town manager Paul Marshall
Pickering Town manager Paul Marshall wishes Cleethorpes Town all the best in their bid to win the FA Vase, but he hopes the runaway leaders suffer a hangover in the league.
Cleethorpes, who are in the last eight of the Vase, are eight points clear at the top of the table.
The experienced former Tadcaster Albion and Harrogate Railway boss is under no illusions that Pickering’s title bid needs divine intervention.
But if even Cleethorpes do not slip up, he will still regard this season as a success.
“We have a lot to do, but we’ll keep chalking the points on and keep the pressure on Cleethorpes,” Marshall told Non League Yorkshire.
“We can’t afford to drop many more points though.
“It is not in ours hands, Cleethorpes will have to slip up. We can’t do anything about that.
“Their FA Vase run could help us. You saw what happened at Tadcaster two years ago when we got beat by Thackley on the Tuesday night and then by Highworth (in the Vase).
“We then lost 3-2 at Barton by a last minute goal on the Wednesday night before coming to Pickering and drawing 1-1. It could easily happen to Cleethorpes.
“Of course I hope history strikes twice, but I do wish Cleethorpes in the Vase and I hope they win it because it would be great for the Northern Counties East League.
“If Cleethorpes don’t slip up in the league, our season has still been a massive achievement. It is the highest Pickering have been for a long time.
“Me and (assistant manager) Denny (Ingram) have done an incredible job because when you look at where we were when we came to now being title-challengers with the budget we have got. It is amazing.”
Marshall also believes his side’s style of play is another key reason in their success.
“We’re probably the best footballing team in the league,” he said.
“There have always had a problem at Pickering of being a class football team, but regularly making mistakes and losing games.
“They didn’t have a winning mentality and that’s what we have instilled in them. They know when to play football and they know when to go long.”
Pickering visit Worksop Town tomorrow night.