Defeat agony for Pikes (From Gazette & Herald)

Defeat agony for Pikes

Northern Counties East League: Sutton Town 4, Pickering Town 2

Saturday saw the Pikes lose away at Sutton Town who, with this victory, completed a "league double" as they won 1-0 at Pickering back in September.

Sutton took the lead 40 seconds after the kick off when Michael Fox scored with an unstoppable shot.

Both sides had chances but the Pikes equalised after 40 minutes. Seb Towse crossed from the right wing for James Drinkall to score with a close range shot for his third goal in this third consecutive game for the Pikes.

Two minutes later, Mark Hurst scored with a 25-yard shot which flew into the top corner for Sutton to regain the lead and on the stroke of half time, Barry Stokes turned and shot from a corner to put Sutton into a 3-1 interval lead.

In the second half, the Pikes started very well. Lee Nogan scored with a close range shot after 50 minutes.

The next 10 minutes saw the Pikes hit the woodwork twice, with efforts from Matthew Morton and Michael McNaughton.

The game developed into an end-to-end affair with both sides having good chances. The Pikes' keeper Carl Silburn made a string of fine saves, and Sutton hit the woodwork twice.

In stoppage time, Sutton regained their two-goal advantage when substitute Craig Mitchell scored when he latched onto a good cross by Nathan Hollingsworth.

The Pikes had two players cautioned - James Drinkall in the first half and Dean MacAuley in the second. Carl Silburn was Man of the Match, in front of a crowd of 93.

After the game, Pikes manager Alex Mathie said: "I'm not surprised by the result. They were a well organised side.

"Two of their goals were 25 yards and 40 yards - you can't plan against that. But I'm pleased that we kept battling."

The Reserves were at home on Saturday to Yorkshire Coble and drew 2-2. The Pikes took a two-goal lead thanks to Chris Johnson after 12 minutes and Steve Baxter after 18 minutes.

The visitors hit back to a couple of first half goals scored after 20 and 35 minutes. On Saturday, the Pikes Reserves are away at Hartlepool, kick off 3pm.

On Monday January 9, the Pikes Under-19s were at home to Selby Town and lost 1-0.

The Pikes team on Saturday was as follows: Silburn, Pallender, Brunton, Eeles (Ramm 88), McNaughton, MacAuley, Morton (Salt 70), Drinkall, Greening, Nogan and Towse. Rose not used.

Updated: 15:46 Wednesday, January 18, 2006