PICKERING TOWN were unable to sign off their Northern Counties East League premier division home campaign with a win after they were held 1-1 by lowly Armthorpe Welfare.

The visitors even played the last 43 minutes with ten men. But manager Tony Hackworth could only call on one substitute for the game and, owing to player unavailability, had a squad containing a number of under-19s players.

Niall Tilsley, named the club’s player of the season and recipient of the players’ player gong before the game, produced a timely block after just three minutes to prevent Welfare’s Tom Dobbin opening the scoring.

Pickering’s first attack came in the 13th minute and, after good work from Jordan Outerbridge and Robbie Hawkes, Joe Danby’s corner was cleared off the line by Richard Smith.

Ben Muirhead and Tony Hattersley both then spurned chances for Armthorpe but, deep into stoppage time, Pickering took the lead when Hawkes’s corner was flicked on by Danby for Jamie Patterson to tap-in at the far post.

The second half was just two minutes old when Michael Bunn, cautioned seven minutes before half-time for a late challenge, collected a second yellow for another clumsy challenge.

Despite now being a man down, though, Welfare were spurred on by the setback and scored a well-deserved equaliser in the 51st minute.

Josh Gibbons’ free-kick was headed on by Smith and Antony Ryan was able to net a fine leveller.

The match largely fizzled out from there - Hattersley fired straight at Pikes keeper Toby Wells from eight yards out on 63 minutes and Danby blazed a free-kick over the crossbar.

In the last five minutes, Muirhead twice went close for the visitors with Wells making some excellent saves.

Pickering end their league season at Liversedge this weekend (kick off 3pm).

Pickering: Wells, Hawkes, Danby, Patterson, Tilsley, Stewart, Outerbridge, Taylor, Woodhead (Simpson 73), Cooper, and Robinson.

 

Pickering Town Junior Football Club have announced the launch of a six-week academy run by first team player Robbie Hawkes for boys and girls in school Years 1, 2 and 3.

Hawkes is an FA-qualified coach and already works in many schools in the area.

The sessions start on Saturday, May 23 on the sports field at Lady Lumley’s School, and will run between noon and 1pm every week until Saturday, June 27. The cost for the six weeks is £15, payable in full at the first session.

There are 24 spaces available on a first come, first served basis.

A spokesman said: “We are specifically looking for children currently not affiliated to any other football club as our aim is to create teams at these age groups for the 2015/16 football season.

“We will also be looking for parents who may be interested in getting involved in the club in a coaching or supporting capacity. Any new teams that we can create at these age groups will require a parent to manage them.

“This is great opportunity for anybody interested in managing a team to join in the training sessions and learn from a professional and well respected coach.”

To register, phone Jon Cooper on 07702 646121 or email jonnycoops@btinternet.com