Promising Pikes on the up (From Gazette & Herald)

Promising Pikes on the up

GOOD with the potential to do even better. This is how Pickering Town's end-of-term report might read after they finished fifth in NCEL Premier Division this season.

It was a big improvement on last season's 13th spot, yet, as boss Steve Brown says, things ended with something of an anti-climax.

"It's been a step forward, but there's a slight sense of disappointment. We didn't have enough strength in depth to see things out. With four games to go, we still had a squeak at winning the title."

In the end, the games caught up with the Pikes, who had to play 16 games in seven weeks after postponements earlier in the season.

With injuries to key players Dean MacAuley and James Drinkall - the exodus of five players to join ex-Pikes boss Jimmy Reid at Goole also not helping - meant Town were up against it.

Yet, with the help of some sterling displays from some of the club's youngsters, a couple of new additions and a great team spirit, they kept up with the pace-setters right until the end.

Having ended the 2002-03 season in good form, Town brought this momentum into the new campaign, winning seven of their first ten league games and losing only one.

A run of six straight league wins only came to an end with an unlucky 1-0 defeat at promoted Brigg Town. Steve Brown still maintains he's never seen the Pikes play better football than they did that November day.

The first part of the season should also be remembered for Town's superb 1-0 FA Cup win at UniBond League first division side Bishop Auckland. Unfortunately, a chance to reach the third round qualifying round for the first time was missed with a 1-0 defeat at home to Ossett Albion.

A dip in form coupled with numerous postponements due to bad weather in the months either side of Christmas slowed the Pikes' progress.

And when the club announced it was not in a position to upgrade its ground to UniBond League status should it finish in a promotion slot, there was a danger that the season could fizzle out.

Instead, the Pikes won five out of their next six games, and lost only one in 11 matches.

Brown believes the spirit in the side was key to ensuring things didn't slide.

"You have to admire the players for the way they responded, going on one of our best runs of the season. They are a very good bunch and get on really well socially. 15 games in seven weeks was not seen as a chore."

Their run of form included a 2-1 win over title winners Ossett Albion, one of several entertaining Tuesday night matches at Mill Lane during the season. Others of note include the 3-2 win over local rivals Selby Town and the 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the North Riding County FA Cup semi-final. Despite the defeat, Town equipped themselves well against a team which included players from Boro's FA Youth Cup-winning side.

As the games came thick and fast, Town struggled to maintain consistency in a packed final month, but, as Steve Brown points out, this should not take the polish off a fine season.

"On the whole, I'm very pleased. It's easy to forget how well we played earlier in the season."

Alex Willgrass won the players' player of the year and earned special praise from his manager.

"When you look for big-game players to show character, Alex has shown real consistency and quality."

Mark Wood, who won the first team player of the year, top-scorer Gavin Dickinson and full back Danny Brunton are other players who have done well. Brown was also well pleased with the contribution of ex-league player Stephen Swales, who joined the club late in the season from Bridlington Town.

The under-19s and reserves enjoyed good seasons under Richard Rose. Players such as Lee Pallender and Tom Adams have shown they are well capable of making the step up to first-team level.

After two full years as manager, Brown still says he has lots to learn and admits to making some mistakes. Resting two forwards in the 1-1 draw at Selby and changing the formation when the Pikes failed to beat nine-men Glapwell were two examples he gave.

But he believes if he can keep his current squad together, they are capable of improving and making one of the promotion slots next season.

He is keen for the club to make firm commitments towards making the necessary upgrades to the ground to bring it up to UniBond League standards.

Time was always against the club this campaign, but hopefully progress can be made on and off the pitch next season.

Updated: 12:51 Wednesday, May 19, 2004