PICKERING Town will be seeking a third consecutive league win this weekend against Garforth Town in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Although beaten in the FA Cup last week by Washington, the Pikes have collected six points from the opening three league games of the season and enjoyed back-to-back victories against Staveley Miners Welfare and Parkgate.

Manager Paul Marshall has also bolstered his squad in the last seven days with the signings of defender Russ Parker from Tadcaster Albion and former Harrogate Railway midfielder Robert Chipps.

Parker, who is still registered to Tadcaster, made his full debut in Saturday's victory at Parkgate while Chipps was on the substitute's bench.

Utility player Sam Lingard, meanwhile, joined this weekend's opponents Garforth after failing to hold down a regular starting spot at Mill Lane.

The Pikes were beaten 2-1 by Northern League First Division side Washington in last Tuesday night's FA Cup second preliminary round replay.

Marshall's side were left with a mountain to climb after conceding two goals in the opening ten minutes from John Butler and Mark Davison.

Things went from bad to worse on 27 minutes when centreback Matty Turnbull had to leave the field with a head injury and concussion.

Turnbull spent the night in Scarborough Hospital but is now making good progress.

Centreback George Bissett was also forced off by injury before halftime and missed the weekend victory at Parkgate.

The Pikes pulled a goal back on 57 minutes when Calum Ward seized on a poor back pass to beat goalkeeper Dale Connor but it was Washington who finished the game on top to secure a first qualifying round tie against Northern League leaders Shildon.

Pickering Town: Wells, Tilsley, Danby, Taylor (Dhesi 66), Turnbull (Ingram 27), Bissett (Lingard 44), Thompson, Cooper, Blott, Ward, Dalton. Attendance 151.

The Pikes bounced back from their FA Cup disappointment with a 2-1 away win at Parkgate last weekend.

Mohammed Hamid put the hosts ahead after 14 minutes but the Pikes rallied in the final 30 minutes to inflict a third straight defeat on the struggling South Yorkshire side.

Defender Parker celebrated his debut with the equaliser on 61 minutes before Nick Thompson grabbed a winner with ten minutes to go.

Parkgate finished the game with 10 men after Lebron Mbeka was dismissed.

Pickering: Wells, Parker, Danby, Taylor, Ingram,Tilsley, Thompson, Cooper, Blott, Ward, and Robinson. Substitutes: Dalton, Dhesi, Chipps, Lawrie. Attendance 80.

The Pikes are currently 12th in the league table but still have at least a game in hand on most of their rivals and are only four points behind leaders Cleethorpes Town.

This weekend. they visit Garforth who are 11th in the table having played five games including a 4-0 defeat against Cleethorpes last weekend.

Next Tuesday night, September 6th, the Pikes are at home to bottom-of-the-table Armthorpe Welfare, kick off 7.45pm.

Nick Wilkinson, meanwhile, has taken over the role of club commercial manager.

Pickering Town Junior Football Club are starting a 'junior kickers' club aimed at girls and boys in school years from Reception to year 6.

The club is being organised by Luke Tinker, a Football Association qualified coach, who runs Inspire Soccer UK and works in many schools in the local area.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, September 13th, on the sports field at Lady Lumley’s school and will run every week between 5.30pm and 6.30pm The cost for each session is only £3 and is payable each week.

To register interest for the 'junior kickers' please contact Luke Tinker on 07708 023570 or Jon Cooper from Pickering Town Juniors on 07702 646121.

By Ian Appleyard