PICKERING Town will be looking to keep the pressure on the leading clubs in in the Northern Counties East League premier division when they visit Bottesford Town this weekend, writes Ian Appleyard.

Paul Marshall's side travelled to third placed Thackley last night fresh from a 6-0 weekend victory over Maltby Main.

It was the club's seventh win out of eight games in all competitions and meant confidence was sky high ahead of last night's trip.

Fifth-placed Bottesford are likely to provide another stern test of promotion credentials on Saturday afternoon but, with games in hand on the top six, there is a growing optimism that 2016/17 could be a season to savour for the Pikes.

New arrival Jules Gabbiadini is expected to make his first appearance for the club this week after receiving international clearance following a spell in the United States.

The former Hull City midfielder, who is the son of former York City and Sunderland striker Marco, was an unused substitute against Maltby.

In addition to the league form, the Pikes are also looking forward to a trip to Bridlington Town later this month in the first round proper of the FA Vase.

However, the fixture has been switched to Sunday October 23, kick-off 3pm, to avoid a clash with Scarborough Athletic who share the ground and play Ramsbottom United in Evo-Stik North Division One.

Former Sheffield United and Hull City midfielder Curtis Woodhouse, meanwhile was appointed Bridlington manager last weekend after Gary Allanson stepped down for personal reasons.

The Pikes moved up to eighth in the NCEL premier division table after beating mid-table Maltby at Mill Lane.

Niall Tilsey opened the scoring when heading home at a corner after 45 minutes.

Prior to the goal, the Pikes had seen good chances spurned by Nick Thompson, Ryan Blott, Ryan Cooper, Matty Turnbull, Nathan Kamara, and Alex Robinson.

The second half was just a minute old when Cooper took full advantage of a defensive mix-up to double the Pikes' lead.

Maltby’s Derrelle Goodison and Schofield both had good chances but Pickering goalkeeper Toby Wells made fine saves.

Robert Chipps had a good chance for the Pikes after 57 minutes but his 25 yard shot flew narrowly wide.

Two minutes later, the Pikes had Kamara cautioned after two warnings from referee Shane Sugden.

The Pikes scored a third goal after 69 minutes when substitute Ged Dalton finished off a good move involving Cooper.

Dalton then turned provider as he set-up Joe Danby to score with a superbly struck 18 yard left foot shot.

Cooper scored his second goal of the game in the 74th minute after excellent work down the right wing and a cross by Russell Parker who then scored with a fine solo effort in the final minute.

Pickering (v Maltby Main): Wells, Parker, Danby, Chipps, Turnbull, Tilsley, Thompson (Taylor L 70), Cooper (Ingram 77), Blott, Kamara (Dalton 63), Robinson. Sub not used: Gabbiadini.

Man of the Match for the Pikes was captain Tilsley – scorer of the all-important first goal and so many timely tackles won on the day, Robert Chipps impressed in midfield.

The Pikes, meanwhile, have allowed reserve goalkeeper Peter Lawrie and striker Callum Ward to move to Selby Town while Callum Richardson has joined Barton Town Old Boys.