Pikes' players commended for season (From Gazette & Herald)

Pikes' players commended for season

PICKERING Town Football Club held a very successful end-of-season presentation and buffet evening last Friday, which was well attended by players and supporters at the Recreation Club, Pickering.

The first team presentations were made by player/manager Alex Mathie and his assistant Shaun McGinty to the following: Leading Goalscorer - Mark Swales with 12 goals, followed by Gavin Dickinson with nine, and Ricky Greening and Liam Salt both with eight, Players' Player of the Year - Matthew Morton, Player of the Year - Rob Eeles, Kenny Carr 'Man of the Match' award for the most Man of the Match awards during the season - Matthew Morton won by one.

The junior's Player of the Year winner was Michael McNaughton. This presentation was made by junior member Luke Hobbs.

The Reserve awards were presented by their team manager, Paul Burton, and were as follows: Leading Goalscorer - Joe Greening, Players' Player of the Year - Tom Adams, Player of the Year - George Rose.

The Best Young Player and Most Improved Player of the Year was won by Liam Salt and was presented by Steve Brown, who also presented the Under-19s Player of the Year to George Rose.

Appearances for the first team saw both Gavin Dickinson and Danny Brunton play in 51 league and/or cup games each, closely followed by Dean MacAuley with 50, Rob Eeles with 46 and Alex Willgrass with 43.

The first team finished fifth in the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League, which is the same as the previous season. This year, they obtained 67 points from their 38 league games played. Last season was exactly the same, with 67 points. The number of goals scored this year was 62, whereas last year it was 67. The number of goals conceded this year was 35, which is the best in the whole league. Last season, 44 goals were conceded.

The first team completed a remarkable league double against champions Goole FC and second- placed Selby Town. They also had a great away win over third-placed Harrogate Railway, but lost the home game.

The Pikes Reserves finished third from bottom with 20 points. Last season, they finished fifth with 33 points. The reserves were runners-up in the Reserves League Cup final against Goole FC. Their league has now finished, so the Pikes will play in a different competition next season.

Updated: 11:51 Wednesday, June 01, 2005