Two-goal victory sees Pikes do 'league double' (From Gazette & Herald)

Two-goal victory sees Pikes do 'league double'

Northern Counties East League: Garforth Town 0, Pickering Town 2

The Pikes completed a fine 'league double' over Garforth on Tuesday night when they were full value for their two-goal victory.

Dean MacAuley opened the goalscoring after 13 minutes with a well-taken penalty. This turned out to be the only goal of the first half.

Mark Swales was unlucky to see a 70th minute effort go just over the crossbar, but after 75 minutes, he received the ball from the left and scored with a well-struck shot from 10 yards for the Pikes to fully justify their victory in preparation for Saturday's massive home game with Buxton.

The game was 35 minutes late in starting as the match officials were delayed due to a motorway accident.

On Saturday, the Pikes visited Liversedge, who are currently second in the League, and returned home with a well deserved point after they drew 2-2.

The Pikes were without Matthew Morton, Rob Eeles and Stephen Swales, but they gave a debut to 18-year-old Luke Baines, who did very well.

Liversedge had a good chance after four minutes. A free kick, taken by Craig Farrand, found Gareth Hamlet, who flicked the ball to John Borland, who shot over the crossbar from 18 yards.

Within a minute, the Pikes put a good attack together when Lee Nogan combined well with Rickie Greening. Nogan then sent Greening away, but the home keeper, Kyle Sutcliffe, raced out of his goal to save well.

Liversedge had a good move after eight minutes, Paul Walker linked up well with Hamlet. Walker's return pass saw him then shoot at the Pikes' goal from 18 yards but the ball went just over the crossbar.

Dean MacAuley had a left wing corner for the Pikes after 10 minutes. James Drinkall raced in and headed the ball over.

The home side then had a good spell in which Michael McNaughton got a timely challenge in to prevent Wayne Crossley from having a great chance. Jamie Ramm prevented Borland in a similar manner, and Danny Brunton cleared the ball off the goal line to prevent a certain Crossley goal from six yards after 14 minutes.

Four minutes later, the Pikes broke away. Steve Baxter raced away, beat three men but the danger was cleared by Asif Hussain on the goal line with Sutcliffe beaten.

The Pikes took the lead after 26 minutes. A good attacking move saw Brunton cut in from the left wing. Nogan jumped over the ball allowing Steve Baxter to run into the penalty area, beat two men and shoot from 15 yards with his right foot, the ball going into goal under Sutcliffe's body.

Within the next seven minutes, the Pikes had a couple of good chances which fell to MacAuley, with a 30-yard free kick which went just wide, and Baxter set up Greening, whose effort was cleared for a corner with Sutcliffe beaten.

The last 10 minutes of the first half saw the Pikes' keeper Carl Silburn save well to prevent Crossley and Tait scoring an equaliser.

The second half started with many supporters still in the refreshment queue when Liversedge equalised. Poor defending by the Pikes saw Manners pass the ball down the right wing to Borland, who crossed three Pikes players watched the ball go to Paul Walker, who turned and smashed the ball into the goal with his right foot from 12 yards.

The Pikes soon bounced back. Within two minutes, Drinkall's 13-yard right foot shot went just wide after the best build up play of the game involving Brunton, Baxter and Nogan.

A minute later, Crossley shot from 10 yards into the side-netting for Liversedge.

After 53 minutes, a good Pikes move saw Baxter supply a great ball to Nogan, who was brought down as he was about to shoot the ball into the goal with Sutcliffe beaten by Hussain. The referee, way behind play, somehow managed to award a corner to the relief of the Liversedge players and crowd.

Four minutes later, a quick Liversedge attack saw Danny Lowe Set up Walker, but Lee Pallender cleared the ball off the goal line.

On the hour mark, the Pikes should have taken the lead when Greening raced away down the right wing, his perfect cross found Brunton, who missed the ball.

Liversedge took the lead after 63 minutes. Again, it was hesitant defending by the Pikes which allowed Walker the chance to score his second goal, putting the ball under Silburn from a Crossley cross.

Liversedge then had a good spell with further chances falling to Hamlett twice, and Walker.

The Pikes equalised after 81 minutes. A good build-up by Steve Roberts and Mark Swales saw Swales brought down by Sutcliffe. Dean MacAuley took the penalty kick which saw Sutcliffe get a hand to the ball punching it into the air. MacAuley raced forward and nodded the ball in for a well deserved equaliser.

A minute later, Greening set up Swales, who shot wide from 18 yards. A good Pikes move after 85 minutes by Roberts, Swales and Greening saw the goalbound effort blocked by Lowe.

A long throw by Swales found Dominic Graham, whose fine header was well saved by Sutcliffe, and in the last minute, Graham set up Swales, who cut in and unleashed a powerful 18-yard shot which went just wide.

All in all, a better Pikes showing apart from the defending at the two goals they conceded. Man of the Match for the Pikes was Jamie Ramm in front of a crowd of 146.

The Pikes team was as follows: Silburn, Pallender (Roberts 73), Brunton, Ramm, McNaughton, MacAuley, Baxter (M Swales 59), Drinkall (Graham 75), Greening, Nogan and Baines.

The Pikes have their most important game remaining in the league on Saturday when they will entertain Buxton, the current leaders, kick-off 3pm. Buxton suffered a shock 6-1 away defeat to Sutton Town at home.

The Pikes are also at home on Tuesday when the visitors will be oldest club in the world, Sheffield, currently third, kick-off 7.45pm.

On Saturday, the Pikes Reserves beat Darlington RA Reserves 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored on the half hour mark by Ben Pickford. The Reserves have no game this week.

Pickering Town's clash with Buxton, along with all of their other eight remaining home league games, will see fans who are under 16 get in for free.

Updated: 11:53 Wednesday, March 22, 2006