The Pikes kick off their season on Saturday, August 20, when they visit Bacup Borough in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. If the game ends in a draw, the replay will be at Pickering on Tuesday, August 23, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bacup Borough play in the Monroe & Co Construction Solicitors North West Counties League Division One - the equivalent league to the Pikes.

Last season, Bacup finished seventh after being in the top four for most of the season until the last month when they had a very poor run and lost their last three games.

Their first game of the season ended in a 2-0 defeat at Nantwich with three of their best players missing.

Bacup play at West View in Blackthorn, which has been their home since 1878. The club was formed in 1875. They are managed by Brent Peters, who was at Doncaster Rovers as assistant manager a few years ago.

The Pikes, with a weakened side owing to injuries and holidays, were beaten by Unibond Premier Division favourites Farsley Celtic last Friday 5-1 at Pickering.

The Pikes' marksman was second half substitute Steve Baxter. The Farsley goalscorers were Scott Jackson (three), Paul Ricketts and Andy Shields.

The team was as follows: Silburn, Higgingbottom, Whincup, Eeles, Pallender, Morton, Roberts, MacAuley, Gray, Mathie and Rudd. Substitutes used: Baxter, Johnson and Ryan.

Pickering Reserves have a rearranged Teesside League game on Wednesday (tonight) when they will host Guisborough Town, kick-off 7.30pm. On Saturday, they visit Darlington SRM, kick-off 2pm.

Last Saturday, the Reserves began their season in the Teesside League with a visit to North Ormesby where they lost 4-3. Playing with 10 men for the opening 75 per cent of the game, they gave as good as they got and were very unlucky not to return with at least a point.

Callum Dunn fired the home side ahead within a minute of the kick off. Chris Johnson equalised with a well-struck shot after 33 minutes. The home side regained the lead three minutes later when Scott Chaplin scored but, on the stroke of half time, the Pikes equalised again when Richard Christod scored with a brilliant 20 yard shot into the top corner.

Jay Parry and Liam Philips scored to put North Ormesby ahead in the second half. A second Christod goal reduced the arrears for the Pikes, who were now up to full strength.

Three minutes from the end, the Pikes were awarded a penalty kick which was taken by Christod, who saw it hit the right hand post and rebound to safety. Pikes' Man of the Match was Gary Bowes.

The Pikes have a major fundraising evening planned for Thursday, October 27.

The Pikes have as their guest the sought after dinner speaker and entertainer Duncan Mackenzie, the former Nottingham Forest, Everton and Leeds United player. The price of the ticket also includes a buffet supper.

Tickets, costing £15, can now be ordered from Tony Dunning on either (01751) 472627 or 473697.

Bacup Borough game directions - M62 to junction 21 towards Rochdale.

Go through two sets of lights, before turning right onto A671 (past Staples and a church). Continue straight on for five miles up hill past Mercedes Garage.

Go straight on past a second hand furniture shop on Burnley Road. Bacup Travel Centre on left after quarter mile, then past Bacup Leisure Centre on left.

Turn right before Irwell Inn over bridge onto Gordon Street, into Blackthorn Lane. After 20 yards, turn right up Cowfoot Lane to ground.

Updated: 16:37 Wednesday, August 17, 2005