Pikes out of League Cup (From Gazette & Herald)

Pikes out of League Cup

League Cup, replay: Pickering Town 2, Selby Town 4: Pickering Town crashed out of the League Cup to Selby Town on Tuesday night in wet and windy conditions.

The Pikes constantly had to catch up, and created many chances that went begging.

Selby attacked from the start, with their first attempt on goal coming in the opening few minutes. They took the lead when a speculative shot by Ian Twitchen went over Pikes keeper Carl Silburn's outstretched arms.

Twitchen tried twice more in the space of 10 minutes but his first shot went over the crossbar and his second was scrambled away from the goal by the Pikes' defence.

Pickering had their first chance when a penalty saw the ball cross in front of the goal but there was no-one on hand to stab it in. The Pikes went close again when Stephen Swales passed to Mark Swales, who took a shot but Selby keeper Adam Mitchell saved.

After 15 minutes, a long cross tested Silburn but it went wide for a corner. The kick in saw many boots swipe at the ball and a Selby player got the touch to sent it in.

Undeterred, the Pikes then had a chance of their own through Seb Towse but his shot went high over the goal. Just before half time, James Drinkall won the ball after a throw-in in Selby's half but shot over the crossbar from directly in front of the goal.

Despite Alex Mathie and Matthew Morton coming on after the interval, the second half started much the same as the first with Selby getting another goal through Tom Mathews. He beat Stephen Swales to shoot to the side of the on-coming Silburn.

Pressure by the Pikes forced their first goal, when, having had a number of shots saved or cleared, Morton passed to Drinkall in a crowded box to slot home.

However, Selby struck again when Ashley Lattimore streaked into the Pikes' half and passed to Twitchen, who coolly slotted home.

In a bid to narrow the deficit, MacAuley, Mathie and Drinkall all made attempts on goal. It was only a matter of time though, and when Mark Swales passed to Morton, Danny Brunton found himself in the perfect position to score.

The Pikes then fought to secure a last minute goal. Ricky Greening went close only to see his shot saved just before the referee called time.

Five yellow cards were given to Pickering's Stephen Swales, Dean MacAuley and Mark Swales, and Selby's Joe Connor and Andy Dawson.

Selby will now go on to play Sheffield in the semi-final. The other semi-final sees Buxton at home to either Liversedge of Parkgate.

The Pikes' team on Tuesday was: Silburn, MacAuley, Brunton, Eeles, MacNaughton, Rose (Morton 45), S Swales, Drinkall, Greening, M Swales, Towse (Mathie 45). Subs not used: Ramm.

Northern Counties East League

Thackley 1, Pickering Town 0

Thackley recorded their ninth successive league win on Saturday, beating the Pikes by a single goal scored four minutes from the end of a poor game played on a poor pitch.

The home side had the first chance when Adam Johnson shot from 18 yards but Silburn saved. Two minutes later, Liam Salt crossed for Dominic Graham to run in and have a good chance to score, but a timely tackle by Thackley's Craig Sugden saved the day.

Thackley came back strong. James Riley broke clear to unleash a 20-yard right foot shot which went wide. Four minutes later, Andrew Kirk crossed from the right for Johnson to nod the ball to Joel Ettienne who mis-hit his shot.

Skipper MacAuley sent Salt away down the right wing. He crossed the ball but Thackley keeper Matthew Everard saved with ease after 31 minutes. Four minutes later, MacAuley crossed, Everard dropped the ball but there was no-one on hand to take advantage.

The second half saw Thackley having most of the play and chances. After 50 minutes, Johnson crossed from the left wing but Jamie Ramm cleared the danger. A minute later, Ettienne linked up well with Lee Riley, but a timely interception by Ramm saved the day.

The first Pikes chance of the second half came after 65 minutes when Salt flicked the ball to Towse, who shot wide from 18 yards. Seven minutes later, Morton combined well with Steve Roberts, who crossed only for Salt to miss.

The winning goal was scored after 86 minutes. A foul, conceded by George Rose 20 yards from the Pikes goal, allowed Mark Senior to score direct from the free kick.

The crowd was 79. Jamie Ramm was the Pikes' Man of the Match.

In the Teesside League, Pickering Reserves dominated Spaire Lads, winning 2-1. They were 2-0 up in the first half, thanks to a Danny Barwick penalty after John Brown was brought down. Then their second came after 42 minutes via a header from defender Ben Pickford.

On 65 minutes, Spaire Lads pulled a goal back and put greater pressure on the home side but failed to sneak a point.

The first team have two home games coming up. On Saturday, they are at home to Brodsworth MW, kick-off 3pm, and on Tuesday, they are at home to Armthorpe Welfare, kick-off 7.45pm.

At both of these two home games, the club will have a shop selling scarves, hats for juniors and seniors and club badges.

FA Vase

The Pikes had some good news on Saturday when Buxton lost their FA Vase game to Nantwich Town, 1-0.

In the first half, Nantwich scored the only goal of the game and Buxton had a penalty kick superbly saved by the Nantwich keeper.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the second half but, overall, a determined display by Nantwich put them into the quarter finals.

For the game on March 4, the Pikes will have at least one supporters' coach going and it is expected to fill up quickly. To book a place, contact Tony Dunning on (01751) 472627 (work), or 473697 (home). Alternatively, visit the Recreation Club.

It is hoped to have two full coaches as Nantwich normally get around 80 to 100 at a game so the Pikes can take plenty of support to this semi-final and create the right atmosphere.

Updated: 15:53 Wednesday, February 22, 2006