PICKERING TOWN chief Mitch Cook still believes his team can get better despite them handing out six of the best to Glasshoughton Welfare.

The Pikes overcame a slow start to dominate their Northern Counties East League premier division rivals and rack up a 6-0 victory with six different players getting on the scoresheet.

The result, completing a league double over the West Yorkshire side, saw Cook’s men rise to seventh in the table.

Cook said: “I didn’t think we played that well. It took us time to get going.

We showed patience, though, and we got our rewards.

“I was pleased with the number of players who scored. Joe Danby is close to netting 30 (this season) but, when I look round the side, there are people who can chip in.”

Cook also feels he is now beginning to put his own mark on the side having replaced Jimmy Reid last November.

“You want to put your own stamp on things,” he explained.

“There was a massive turnaround of players and, hopefully, I am starting to do that now.

“It doesn’t finish there. We are looking ahead to next season and we will be looking to strengthen.”

The Pikes, in truth, did not have to find top gear to beat a poor Welfare outfit who arrived at the Recreation Ground without any substitutes.

Home goalkeeper Callum Myers had to makes saves from Hillario Serreao and Reece Chappell, who had been left unmarked from a free-kick, and Matthew Bugg also fired over the Pickering bar, but, from then on, it was the hosts who dominated.

Tony Hackworth gave them the lead in the 21st minute when he was found at the far post by Joe Danby and simply had to tap home.

Chris Batchelor looped a shot over the bar and Pickering had to wait until shortly before half-time before they could double their advantage.

Danby was given onside after being played through by Lewis Taylor and Glasshoughton ‘keeper Paul Hagreen initially did well to keep out the forward’s low shot.

The ball merely fell to Josh Greening and he rolled it into an empty net.

The Pikes were much more incisive after the restart.

Greening could have scored again within seconds - denied by Hagreen after Danby nicked the ball and the Welfare custodian was called into action again soon after by Batchelor.

He could only keep Pickering at bay until the 60 minute mark. Robbie Hawkes began the move, Danby put the ball into the area from the by-line and Hawkes moved forward to strike it into the net from eight yards.

It was only a minute later that they had their fourth goal.

Taylor swept it home after substitute Ged Dalton was tackled following a good run into the penalty box.

Batchelor then tried to lob Hagreen from a long way out, while a ferocious Danby effort into the top corner was ruled out for an earlier foul.

Danby showed a huge amount of class to chip the ball over Hagreen from 45 yards for Pickering’s fifth in the final moments of the game and, into stoppage time, the beleaguered ‘keeper stumbled over a backpass allowing Sam Calvert an easy finish.

Pickering: Myers, Hawkes, Andrew, Cook, Batchelor, Patterson, Hackworth (Fenwick, 66), Taylor, Greening (Calvert, 73), Coates (Dalton, 58), Danby. Subs not used: Giles, Henderson.

Pickering were in action last night (Tuesday) in their rearranged League Cup tie with division one strugglers Dronfield Town at Mill Lane.

On Saturday, they take to the road for the first time in a month when they go to Stavelely Miners Welfare (3pm) in the league.