SILVERWARE hunters Tadcaster Albion embark on a wicked week amid manager Paul Marshall’s fear of the club falling foul of a potential scandal.

Albion go to Retford tomorrow buoyed by a boost in their outside chance of claiming the Northern Counties East League premier division crown in a game that heralds a four-match spell in eight days.

Albion host Staveley, also in the league on Tuesday, before two nights later welcoming Cleethorpes to Ings Lane in the semi-final of the League Cup before next Saturday, coincidentally, heading to Cleethorpes seeking more league plunder.

Said Marshall: “We want to finish the season with silverware, so the cup tie on Thursday is massive for us, as they all are this week. This run of four games in just over a week is so crucial to what we will have to show for our efforts.”

The Brewers were boosted this week after top-tier leaders Shaw Lane Aquaforce dropped two points after being held to a goal-less draw by visitors Bridlington Town.

That set up an equation whereby to snatch the crown that looked theirs for the taking for so long, Albion will have to win all their remaining league games while Shaw Lane need to lose two of their final five matches.

But even if the championship, and with it promotion to the Evo-Stik League proves elusive, Marshall is hoping the powers that be acknowledge the ambition and enterprise of his club and not allow struggling teams at the foot of the Evo-Stik League to hang on to their status.

Insisting he knew of some struggling Evo-Stik clubs who want out, Marshall said: “If we were not to win the NCEL I would hope the FA would do the right thing and promote progressive clubs like ourselves,” said Marshall.

“We gained 97 points last season and did not go up. We have got to two semi-finals this season and have been top of the league for six months and for our achievements not to be recognised while some clubs above us want to drop out would be scandalous.

“Apart from the two at the bottom of our division there’s strength all round with clubs capable of taking points off anyone. Ourselves, Shaw Lane, Worksop and Pickering are all progressive clubs.”

Pickering are at home tomorrow against Armthorpe, while in the NCEL first division Selby Town go to Emley aiming to respond to a 2-1 defeat in a re-arranged match at Dronfield on Monday night.

Knaresborough Town, whose midweek clash at home to Winterton was abandoned after 90 minutes after a mass brawl broke out - Rangers were leading 2-1 at the time - are at home again tomorrow against Rossington Main.

In Conference North, Harrogate Town entertain Fylde, while Harrogate Railway go to Northwich Victoria in Evo-Stik League division one north, where Scarborough Athletic host Padiham.