PICKERING Town begin their FA Cup campaign on Sunday at home to Northern League division two side Washington (3pm).

The game has been switched to Sunday as Pickering’s Mill Lane ground is still being used for cricket on Saturdays - the same reason the Pikes are on the road for the first few weekends of their Northern Counties East League premier division campaign.

Washington began their season on Saturday with a 2-2 draw against Norton & Stockton.

The Pikes began theirs last night away to Heanor Town, having had a blank weekend when the NCEL season kicked off. Heanor opened with a 3-0 win at Albion Sports, while title favourites Tadcaster Albion lost 2-1 at home to Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Provided Sunday’s cup tie does not need a replay, the Pikes will entertain Glasshoughton Welfare in the league next Tuesday (7.45pm). The Pikes won last season’ corresponding fixture 6-0 but lost 2-1 at Glasshoughton, who finished 16th.

This will be the first game at Mill Lane when the Pikes will allow all under-16s in for free, not just U12s.

The Pikes’ final pre-season game was an entertaining 2-2 draw with Whitby Town at Mill Lane last Tuesday.

Teenager striker Sam Calvert got both Pickering goals, netting after 12 minutes - to cancel out a Wayne Aziz own goal 60 seconds earlier - and 62 minutes. Craig Farrell equalised three minutes later.

• A GOAL by former Pickering Town player Liam Shepherd gave Whitby Town a 1-0 win over Scarborough Athletic in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The game was tight with few scoring opportunities but Whitby were full value for their victory.

On Saturday, they begin their Evo-Stik League premier division campaign at Stourbridge (3pm), while Scarborough go to Salford City in division one north (3pm). Salford are now owned by Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Gary and Phil Neville and a big crowd is expected.

The Seadogs’ first home game of term is next Tuesday (August 19) against Harrogate Railway (7.45pm). Whitby play the following night at home to Curzon Ashton (7.45pm).