Albion stunned as Pikes hit form at last (From Gazette & Herald)

Albion stunned as Pikes hit form at last

PICKERING Town ended their run of nine consecutive defeats in fine style last Saturday with a superb 3-1 victory at previously unbeaten Osett Albion, who were relegated from the UniBond first division last season.

Despite having the better of the opening exchanges, the Pikes went a goal down after 14 minutes when Danny Toronczak robbed Peter Vasey 35 yards from goal. Toronczak took the ball and crossed from the right for Jay Horne to score with a simple tap-in.

The Pikes almost equalised on the half hour but Ryan Crawford's shot went wide after a well-worked move involving Jonathan Beech, Ben Rhodes and Vasey.

Pikes' keeper Kevin Martin made a fine save to prevent Ossett increasing their lead but Town gained a deserved equalised before half-time. A corner from the left by Alex Willgrass found an unmarked Danny Farthing, who scored with a splendid header.

The goal gave the Pikes the impetus at the start of the second half as Willgrass, Farthing and Crawford all went close. Pickering gained the lead after 66 minutes. After combining well with Rhodes down the right, Beech's 20-yard left foot shot-cum-cross took a wicked deflection past Albion keeper Andy Watson into the net.

The Pikes went further ahead on 83 minutes when Crawford latched onto a through-ball from Farthing to score from 18 yards. They might have gone further in front but were denied a clear penalty in stoppage time when Crawford was sent flying.

It didn't matter. The Pikes had a fully-deserved victory in the bag - one that will hopefully kick-start their season at last. There were several outstanding performances for the Pikes - Crawford, who never stopped running, Rhodes, switched to right full-back for the first time had his best game in a Pikes shirt, Vasey was his usual commanding self, and Farthing and Willgrass combined well in midfield.

Pikes' boss Steve Brown said: "We worked on our attacking game in practice on Thursday, which proved very productive. We created chances and from that, confidence rose. We could have had five or six in the end. It is only a start for us though and we have another big game on Saturday at Selby."

The reserves lost at home 3-1 to Ossett Albion Reserves after taking through a penalty from Paul Provins. Matthew Morton was sent off before the break.

Updated: 09:47 Wednesday, October 16, 2002