First-round bye for Pikes (From Gazette & Herald)

First-round bye for Pikes

PICKERING Town have been given a first-round bye in the NCEL League Cup and will face either Parkgate or Yorkshire Amateurs, who both play in the first division, at home in the second round. The Pikes will learn who they play in the FA Cup when the draw is made this Friday. The reserves received a bye in the first round of the reserve league cup.

The club holds its AGM this Friday at their Recreation Club headquarters, in Mill Lane, Pickering, starting at 8pm.

Anyone interested in supporting the club is invited to attend.

The Pikes will face three new teams in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division next season.

Long Eaton United, Shirebrook Town and Maltby Main have all gained promotion from the first division. Long Eaton are based south of Nottingham, Shirebrook is near Mansfield and Maltby play near Rotherham. They will replace Ossett Albion, Eastwood Town and Brigg Town, who were all promoted to the Unibond League, meaning the Pikes' travel costs are likely to rise.

With the national non-league system being restructured this season, no teams were relegated from the Unibond League or from the NCEL Premier Division. Retford Town are the new team in division one.

The league will commence on Saturday, August 21.

Updated: 13:11 Wednesday, June 30, 2004