PICKERING Town have signed Jules Gabbiadini, the son of former Sunderland and York City striker Marco.

York-born Gabbiadini, 22, is returning to England from the USA where he has been studying and playing for the University of Charleston.

An attacking midfielder, he was on the books at Hull City as a teenager before being released four years ago.

With international clearance needed in order to play for the Pikes, Gabbiadini was unavailable for last night's home game against Armthorpe Welfare in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League premier division.

Manager Paul Marshall also thinks it unlikely that he will be involved in Saturday's FA Vase first round qualifying tie at AFC Darwen.

"Jules has agreed to sign for us but there will be a delay because of the paperwork," said Marshall. "He is an attacking midfielder who looks quite a powerful boy.

"His father Marco was obviously a star striker so hopefully he will have acquired some of his knack for scoring goals!"

The Pikes made it three consecutive league victories last weekend with a solid performance at Garforth Town.

Goals from Ryan Blott, Ged Dalton, and Ryan Cooper secured a 3-0 win against the Miners but victory came at a price with both Denny Ingram (groin) and Cooper (bruised ribs) coming off injured.

Player/assistant manager Ingram will now be out of action for a couple of weeks while Cooper, who was taken to hospital on Saturday night, is a doubt for the FA Vase.

Marshall, who led former club Tadcaster Albion to the quarterfinals of the FA Vase two seasons ago, is seeking another decent run in the competition to compensate for Pickering's early exit against Washington in the FA Cup.

"It's a competition that we want to do well in," he said. "There is a Wembley final to chase and we all felt disappointed going out of the FA Cup."

Blott scored after two minutes against Garforth with a close range effort.

The first half hour saw the Pikes in full control with Blott, Dalton, and Cooper all going close to adding to the scoreline. The Pikes had a 'goal' disallowed for offside after 28 minutes.

When Dalton scored four minutes before the break, linesman Liam Hewitt raised his flag again but referee Luke Watson over ruled him and awarded the goal.

The Pikes increased their lead on 58 minutes - a good team build up involving Alex Robinson and Dalton was finished with Cooper scoring a low right foot shot past Hagreen.

The Pikes sat eleventh in the league table ahead of last night's game against bottom of the table Armthorpe and Marshall is delighted with his club's league form.

"It has been a good start," he said. "We have kept a couple of clean sheets and looked comfortable against Garforth."

After this weekend's FA Vase game, the Pikes visit Clipstone on September 17 and Barton Town Old Boys three days later.

The winners of this weekend's game will play Consett or Hebburn Town in the second qualifying round on September 24.

AFC Darwen play in the North West Counties League and have not made the best of starts, playing six games with one victory and one draw.

In stoppage time, Garforth’s teenager Joe Dunnett - who played for Thornton-le-Dale last season - broke clear only for his 18 yard shot to be well saved by Toby Wells in the Pickering goal.

Pickering: Wells, Parker, Danby, Taylor, Tilson, Ingram (Dhesi 32),Thompson, Cooper (Hirst 69), Blott, Dalton, and Robinson. Bissett not used.

Man of the match for the Pikes was skipper Niall Tilsley, closely followed by an impressive midfield performance by Nick Thompson – his best so far in a Pikes shirt. The crowd was 136.