Pickering Town enjoy FA Vase fillip but lose Lyle Hillier to injury (From Gazette & Herald)

Pickering Town enjoy FA Vase fillip but lose Lyle Hillier to injury

2:27pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Sport

Pickering Town have suffered a sizeable blow after it was revealed Lyle Hillier has retired due to a recurring knee injury.

The utility ace – he has played in virtually all positions for the Pikes barring goalkeeper – has hung up his boots on the advice of a specialist.

The former Harrogate Railway and Farsley Celtic player, who teaches at Ryedale School , had joined Pickering at the end of 2007.

The news follows the boon of FA Vase progression thanks to a great 3-1 win at Northern League side Billingham Town in Saturday’s first qualifying round.

Manager Jimmy Reid said: “I was very pleased with the all-round team performance and to reach the second qualifying round.”

That next round will be on Saturday, September 15, at home to another Northern League side, Team Northumbria, who currently have two wins and three defeats in five league games. The winners go into the first round proper where they will host Durham City, also of the Northern League following their relegation from the Evo-Stik League at the end of last season.

Early chances against Billingham were missed by the Pikes, Steve Baxter side-footing one wide, before the hosts capitalised on a good spell to take the lead on 17 minutes as Craig Norman’s right-wing cross saw the ball fall to Matthew Garbutt, who cut inside from the left and shot home from an acute.

Liam Shepherd levelled with a 38th-minute 20-yard free-kick and, a minute before the break, Liam Salt put the Pikes ahead from the spot after being fouled by goalkeeper Michael Arthur.

The second half saw chances at either end before the Pikes made the game safe with six minutes left when a Joe Connor shot from 16 yards was only partially saved by Arthur, Tom Fenwick netting from the rebound.

Pickering: A Reid, T Reid, Gowan, Readman, Sturdy, Shepherd, Dalton (Fenwick 61), Connor, Baxter, Salt (Taylor 80), Craig. Subs not used: McNaughton, Danby. Crowd 107.

The Pikes were at home in the Northern Counties East League premier division last night to Parkgate, who went into the game unbeaten in the league.

On Saturday they are also at home to Lincoln Moorlands (3pm), at which there will be a collection in memory of Geoff Corney, a Pikes supporter and committee member for many years who passed away in July.

The Pikes are away next Tuesday, September 11, at Bridlington Town (7.45pm).

A weakened Pickering Town side lost 5-1 to Gateshead in the FA Under-18s Youth Cup on Monday night. Ashley Taylor netted for the Pikes early in the second half to halve the deficit but three late goals sealed the result.