Good work undone as Pickering go bottom (From Gazette & Herald)

Good work undone as Pickering go bottom

NCEL Premier Division

After the previous week's great win at Ossett Albion, the Pikes lost 1-0 at local rivals Selby - a defeat which leaves them bottom of the table.

In a scrappy first half, Pickering's Gavin Dickinson set up Ryan Crawford but his effort was saved.

The Pikes debutant keeper, Mark Hampshire, saved Selby's first effort on goal after 18 minutes. Hampshire was deputising for Kevin Martin, who injured his back against Bedale the previous week and is very doubtful for Saturday's game at Thackley. Hampshire, who is on a YTS scheme at York City, was beaten on 25 minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside.

On the half-hour mark, Alex Willgrss struck a free-kick over the bar, and a minute later, Joe Connor's set piece was headed goalwards by Phil O'Reilly, but the home keeper saved well.

Selby took the lead after 34 minutes when a move down the left eluded the Pikes defence and Andy Cygan scored from close range. Things didn't get better on the stroke of half-time when Mark Wood was booked for diving.

The second half started brightly for the Pikes, with Willgrass and Connor going close in the opening three minutes. Connor also crossed for Wood but he headed over the bar.

The Pikes forced three corners in quick succession but nothing materialised from their pressure. The names of Connor and Ben Rhodes were added to the referee's notebook as the Pikes became frustrated.

Substitutes were brought on by Pickering manager Steve Brown but to no avail. Danny Farthing and Mark Wood were the pick of the Pikes side.

A disappointed Brown said: "It was a poor game. We weren't creative enough, which was disappointing after we'd done so well at Ossett. We were too direct and predictable."

On Monday, Pickering visit Harrogate Railway in the first round of the President's Cup (7.45pm kick-off)

Pickering reserves lost 4-1 at home to Redcar Town in the North Riding CFA County Cup first round. Pickering took the lead through Seb Towse after Joe Greening's effort had struck the crossbar. Matt Hillerby also went close for the Pikes. Redcar went 2-1 up before the break after bad marking in the Pickering defence. The Wearside League side added to their tally in the second half. The reserves are at home to Selby this Saturday.

See sports service for the Pikes' November fixtures

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, October 23, 2002