Return to form for Pikes (From Gazette & Herald)

Return to form for Pikes

Garforth Town 2, Pickering Town 3

Pickering Town are through to the semi-finals of the Northern Counties East League's President's Cup following a 3-2 away win after extra time over First Division leaders Garforth Town last night.

After a goalless first half, the Pikes took the lead after 62 minutes with a well-struck shot by Mark Swales from an acute angle, following excellent work by James Drinkall. Garforth equalised after 79 minutes when Jack Jaques-Doblon scored to force the fixture into extra time.

The Pikes regained the lead on 93 minutes when Swales crossed from the left for Brian Dutton to score with a bullet header.

Garforth again equalised after 102 minutes, with a tap-in by full back Paul Robinson at the near post following a free kick.

The all-important match winner was scored by Gavin Dickinson with a header on 112 minutes after another cross by Swales but this time from the right wing. The Pikes had Dean MacAuley cautioned for wasting time just before the final whistle.

In the semi-final to be played in March, the Pikes will be at home to the winner of the Selby Town v Buxton quarter final game.

The progression will fan the flames of an already confident side. The need for fourth-placed Pikes to get as many points as possible has never been so strong after they received something of a lucky break in their bid for promotion to the Unibond League.

The Football Association has confirmed to the Gazette & Herald that they have received the Pikes' application, and will initially grade only the top four teams' grounds for consideration.

The other teams in the NCEL who have applied are Selby Town, Goole, Harrogate Railway, Sheffield, Buxton and Mickleover.

Fortunately in their bid for points, the past two games have gone their way. Saturday's game at home to Goole turned out to be a major reunion for the Pikes. Goole manager Paul Marshall is a former Pikes players, and their line-up included several other ex-players, with Chris Hill in goal, Mark Willoughby, and Joe Gaughan. Even match referee, Richard Salt played as a striker for the Pikes in the mid-1990s.

The Pikes were good value for their 3-1 home win against local rivals Goole. The visitors started well but it was the Pikes who took the lead after 11 minutes when, in the best move of the half, Matthew Morton's pass found Mark Swales who turned and scored with an unstoppable 15-yard right foot shot in front of the Gazette & Herald stand.

A minute later Goole's Graham Whitehead had a chance but Rob Eeles blocked his effort well. A minute later player/manager Alex Mathie supplied a great pass to Morton whose 20-yard left foot shot was tipped round for a corner by Chris Hill. A minute later Brunton combined well with Michael McNaughton whose left wing cross found Eeles but Hill made another great save.

After 18 minutes, the Pikes switched play when a long clearance by keeper Carl Silburn found Mathie who made a perfect pass which split the Goole defence for Swales to run on and shoot but Hill tipped the ball over his crossbar.

The corner, taken by Alex Willgrass, saw McNaughton outjump the Goole defence but the ball went just over the crossbar. Steve Davey the former Harrogate Railway player went close for Goole after 21 minutes but his effort was just wide.

The Pikes increased their lead after 33 minutes when a long throw from the left by Swales was headed on by McNaughton for Brian Dutton to nip in at the far post and score with a fine header. Five minutes later Hill made a great save to prevent Morton from scoring after a good build-up by Mathie and Swales.

A minute before half time Goole pulled a goal back when former Pikes striker Joe Gaughan scored with an acute angled 15-yard right foot shot.

The second half was end to end, with both sides needing a goal. Gavin Dickinson, Swales, Mathie, Morton all went close for the Pikes. For Goole, Gaughan, Steve Rollinson, who missed the chance of the game, both went close.

Three minutes from time the Pikes restored their two-goal lead when substitute James Drinkall scored from an acute angle after a good move by Willgrass, Swales and Seb Towse.

In the last minute a corner taken from the left by Willgrass found McNaughton but his goal bound effort was cleared off the goal line by Steve Jeff.

The Pikes team was as follows: Silburn, MacAuley, Brunton, Eeles, McNaughton, Willgrass, Morton, Towse, Dutton, Mathie, Drinkall, M Swales and Dickinson. Fishwick did not play.

The team for the President's Cup was: Silburn, MacAuley, Brunton, Eeles, Morton, Willgrass, Dutton, Gildea, Drinkall, Mathie, Fishwick, Dickinson, Swales and Towse.

Their success came on the back of last Wednesday's game which they also won 4-0 away at Hallam. Mark Swales scored a hat-trick and Seb Towse got the other.

The Reserves lost 4-1 away at Eccleshill Utd. Steve Baxter scored the lone goal for the Pikes.

Last Tuesday the Reserves entered the semi-final of the Reserve League Cup with a 2-1 home win against Yorkshire Amateurs Reserves. They will be away to either Thackley Reserves or Carlton Town Reserves on February 22.

The Pikes Under-19s lost 2-1 last Wednesday at Scarborough after the Pikes had taken the lead thanks to a goal scored by Dean Craig.

The Pikes' first team are at home on Saturday to Arnold Town, kick off at 3pm. Arnold Town are managed by former Nottingham Forest favourite Bryn Gunn and include Brett Williams and Phil Starbuck, two ex-Forest players. The team is 14th in the League. On Tuesday, the Pikes will entertain Glasshoughton Welfare, kick off at 7.45pm.

The Reserves are away on Saturday at Garforth Town Reserves, kick off at 3pm.

Updated: 15:09 Wednesday, February 09, 2005