Pikes' FA Vase ambitions ended (From Gazette & Herald)

Pikes' FA Vase ambitions ended

FA Vase, quarter-final: Nantwich Town 2 Pickering Town 0; THE Pikes' FA Vase dreams were shattered on Sunday when their postponed quarter-final game at Nantwich went ahead, with the home side full value for their victory.

Despite the pitch being covered in snow at 8.30am, the Pikes were told to travel. In the end, it was rather sticky, heavy-going and soggy which didn't suit the Pikes' style of football.

In the opening minutes, the Pikes created a good chance when Mark Swales linked up well with Lee Nogan. Swales received the ball back from Nogan but home keeper Rob Hackney raced out to clear the danger.

Two minutes later, play switched to the other end. Matt Blake crossed to skipper Phil Parkinson, whose 18-yard right foot shot hit the Pikes' crossbar but was cleared away to the huge relief of the Pikes' supporters. Three minutes later, Pikes keeper Carl Silburn saved well from Blake after good work by Matthew Platt.

A timely Rob Eeles tackle after 10 minutes prevented Platt from scoring Then, a Steve Swales left wing cross found Nogan, who appeared to have a defenders' arms around him but the referee failed to award the penalty for the Pikes. The ball fell to Ricky Greening, whose weak 18-yard shot was easily saved by Hackney.

A minute later, Steve Swales combined well with Nogan to set up Mark Swales, whose 25 yard right foot shot went over the crossbar.

Nantwich took the lead after 13 minutes. A right wing corner taken by Paul Taylor found an unmarked Blake, who scored with a fine header from four yards. It was a soft goal for the Pikes to concede.

Five minutes later, Blake was clean through on the Pikes goal when he outpaced Danny Brunton but Silburn raced out of his goal to clear the danger. A minute later, a right wing cross by Platt found Blake, but he headed wide of the Pikes' goal.

The Pikes came back well. After 20 minutes, Mark Swales combined well with Nogan, who set up Greening, who shot from 20 yards, but his weak effort was easily saved.

A minute later, Mark Swales was clean through, but a timely tackle by Paul Donnelly saved the day for the home side.

Nantwich then had a good 15-minute spell but no goals to show. The miss of the half came when Platt crossed for James Marrow to have an easy chance which went begging.

The Pikes rallied before half time. After 41 minutes, Greening crossed from the right for Nogan to have a great chance to score, but he headed from 10 yards straight into the keeper's arms.

Two minutes later, a long throw by Mark Swales appeared to be handled by a Nantwich defender. Several Pikes players appealed for a penalty which again was not given.

After 47 minutes, a free kick, taken by Pikes skipper Dean MacAuley found James Drinkall, who rushed in and headed the ball over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, Nantwich did well as Platt sent Blake away but Michael McNaughton tackled well and cleared the danger.

The Pikes were very unlucky not to level matters after 52 minutes. A good move started in his own penalty area by Ramm down the left wing saw him combine well with Brunton and Nogan, who crossed the ball from the left wing for Drinkall to have a great chance from eight yards. He beat keeper Hackney but the ball was scrambled off the goal-line by a well-placed defender.

MacAuley took a free kick after 65 minutes, which found Eeles, whose header was well saved by Hackney.

Nantwich then had a good 10-minute spell with substitute Danny Griggs went close twice only for McNaughton and Eeles to clear his shots. Griggs then set up Blake, whose 18-yard shot went wide of the goal after 75 minutes.

The Pikes came back well, Nogan crossed from the right with a shot or cross which was well saved. Steve Swales took a free kick, which found Eeles, whose header was well saved after 77 minutes.

After 83 minutes, Nantwich doubled their lead when Griggs dribbled the ball past three Pikes players into the penalty area and he scored with a well-struck 15 yard right foot shot into the bottom corner to put his side into next month's two-legged semi-final with Cammell Laird in an all-North West Counties game.

The crowd of 698 should make sure the Pikes return without a loss on the game and money in the bank. Overall, the Pikes did well. They have done superb during the past five months to reach the last eight, or was it the last five, in Non-League's National Knockout competition and giving the town of Pickering all the national publicity.

The Pikes must now get back into league action with away games on Saturday to second-placed Liversedge, kick-off 3pm, and to Garforth Town on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm. Garforth have appealed to the FA about their two-week ban imposed by the West Riding CFA, so game will go ahead as planned next week.

The Pikes Reserves had their game away at Teesside Athletic postponed last Saturday. This Saturday, they will be at home to Darlington RA Reserves, kick-off 2pm.

The Pikes team on Sunday was: Silburn, MacAuley, Brunton, Eeles, McNaughton, Morton, Greening, Drinkall (Salt 76), M Swales (Ramm 45), Nogan and S Swales (Baxter 78). Not used were Pallender and Towse.

Updated: 16:08 Wednesday, March 15, 2006