Victory sees Pikes closer to league leaders (From Gazette & Herald)

Victory sees Pikes closer to league leaders

Northern Counties East League: Pickering Town 4, Hallam 1

The Pikes moved up into fourth place on Saturday after a 4-1 home win against Hallam, although table-toppers Liversedge have a game in hand on the Pikes and third-placed Buxton have two games in hand. Second-placed Arnold Town have played a game more than the Pikes.

The opening 20 minutes saw both teams have their chances. A good Pikes move after four minutes by Mark Swales and Danny Brunton allowed Steve Baxter a good chance, but the visitors' keeper, Danny Spooner, who started his career at Sheffield United, made a fine save.

Six minutes later, Ricky Greening did well with a 40-yard run and cross after beating three men, but Swales shot wide from 16 yards with the goal at his mercy.

Hallam then had a good spell. Their first effort of the game came after 15 minutes when Danny Campbell shot wide from 25 yards. Four minutes later, Mark Highfield supplied a good ball to Anthony Wilson, but Pikes defender Rob Eeles was quick to spot the danger and deflected the ball for a corner, which came to nothing.

The Pikes responded after 22 minutes, when Ricky Greening crossed from the right for Swales to lay the ball to Jamie Rudd, who stayed on the ball for too long and he lost it. A minute later, George Rose shot over the crossbar from 20 yards for the Pikes.

The opening goal came after 26 minutes in front of the Gazette & Herald stand. The move started on the halfway line with Lee Pallender, who supplied a superb cross-field ball to Jamie Rudd, who ran on and crossed from the left wing for Steve Baxter to score the all-important opener from inside the six-yard box.

Hallam then had Mark Highfield missing an easy chance after 33 minutes following good work by Ryan Campbell. Three minutes later, Rose headed the ball off the goal line with the Pikes keeper Carl Silburn beaten to prevent Danny Campbell from scoring, and after 39 minutes, a timely Michael McNaughton tackle prevented a goal from Ryan Campbell.

After 42 minutes, the Pikes broke clear for Greening to cross for Morton to head the ball over the crossbar from close range.

The second half saw Silburn make a brilliant save after 48 minutes when he tipped an effort by Troy Bennett for a corner.

The Pikes doubled their lead when, after 51 minutes, Greening scored after the best move of the game involving Morton, Rudd, Swales and Baxter. Two minutes later, Greening raced away down the right flank and his cross found an unmarked Baxter, whose effort was well saved by Spooner.

Brunton saved the day for the Pikes with a brilliant tackle to prevent Ryan Campbell scoring after 59 minutes. Soon after, the Pikes had three good chances when Brunton's cross was too high for Greening after 60 minutes. A minute later, Baxter set up James Drinkall but his 25-yard shot flew just over the crossbar, and Morton combined well with Greening three minutes later for Drinkall's header to be a certain goal until Martin Murray headed the ball off his own goal line with Spooner well beaten.

The Pikes were now having their best spell of the game. Another excellent move came after 65 minutes when Morton, Drinkall, and Brunton combined down the left wing, Brunton cut in and saw Spooner tip the shot for a corner.

A minute later, the Pikes scored their third goal when a good build-up by Drinkall and Brunton allowed Morton to cross from the left wing for Baxter to run in and score with a well struck 12-yard right foot shot. Four minutes later, Lee Pallender's right wing free kick found Drinkall, who turned and shot from 12 yards with his right foot, only to see the ball go over the crossbar.

Hallam then had a good 15-minute spell. Even though they were three goals down, they never gave up trying to play good football. Substitute Ashley Longstaff shot over the crossbar from eight yards with the goal at his mercy after 72 minutes. Two minutes later, he had another good chance but Silburn tipped the ball over the crossbar for a corner which was taken by Bennett for Longstaff to again head over the crossbar.

Hallam scored their consolation goal after 85 minutes when both Campbells - Ryan and Danny - set up Longstaff, who, at last, found the back of the net.

The Pikes quickly restored their three-goal advantage when Swales cut in from the left wing after receiving the ball from Morton and coolly lobbed the keeper from 18 yards after 88 minutes.

Overall, it was a good Pikes performance against a side who never gave up and maintained their football. The Pikes, however, were full value for their victory, with Michael McNaughton their Man of the Match.

The Reserves lost 1-0 in the first round of the North Riding CFA Saturday County Cup to Guisborough Town Black Swan. The game was played on Ryedale Sports Club's ground and the Pikes can only reflect on their many missed chances.

On Saturday, the Pikes are away at Arnold Town and the Reserves are at home to Stokesley SC Reserves, kick-off 2pm. A coach will be going. Anyone interested is asked to contact Tony Dunning.

Arnold are in a spot of bother with the League because they failed to have a team for the local derby with Mickleover Sports, saying they only had seven fit players.

The League will now convene a special meeting to decide what action is to be taken against Arnold, who have so far had a good start to their season. This could be a severe dent in their ambitions for promotion.

Updated: 12:55 Wednesday, October 19, 2005