NCEL Premier Division. Pickering Town 0, Glapwell 1 - WITH four forthcoming fixtures against sides in the top ten later this month, this was a game the Pikes were looking to gain three points from to boost their premier league survival hopes. But it was Glapwell who took the spoils to complete a league double over Pickering.
Glapwell had the early pressure, forcing three corners within a minute as Tim Hogg and Aaron Shelley both went close but they found Pikes' keeper Kevin Martin in good form. Danny Farthing stopped a certain goal from one corner.
The Pikes' first chance came after 11 minutes. Simon Collins linked up well with Ryan Crawford before forcing Glapwell keeper Neil West to tip the ball behind for a corner.
Glapwell saw a 22-yard free-kick taken by Davies go just wide after 21 minutes. Six minutes later, Crawford and Gavin Dickinson linked up well to set up Luke Ibbotson, but his 18-yard shot was tipped round a for a corner.
Matthew Morton and Phil O'Reilly joined two Glapwell players in the book as the referee struggled to maintain control of a keenly-fought game.
After 20 seconds of the second half, a bad mistake by O'Reilly allowed Richard Ashton to race through but his shot hit the Pikes' bar - a real let-off for Town. Eight minutes later, Ashton was clear again and his 12-yard shot was superbly saved by Martin.
The best chance of the game thus far fell to the Pikes after 64 minutes. A 20-yard free-kick by Dickinson was helped on by Danny Farthing to Luke Ibbotson, who blazed over the bar from four yards.
Town were left to rue the missed chance as a minute later, Glapwell scored the winner when a good right-wing move by Ashley and Colliver allowed substitute Ryan O'Carroll, the former Buxton and Hallam striker, to score a fine goal.
The Pikes then lost their shape and discipline as Alex Willgrass, Ibbotson and Mark Wood went into the referee's notebook within the space of three minutes. Glapwell sought to extend their lead, with Brendan Yates hitting the side-netting after 75 minutes and Jonathan Froggatt - their match winner at Glapwell in December against Pickering - missing the target with a good chance.
Three minutes from time, Simon Collins combined well with sub Ricky Greening to shoot just wide of the post from 22 yards. Kevin Martin saved well to prevent Stuart McMillan scoring for Glapwell before an Alex Willgrass corner found Phil O'Reilly in stoppage time, but his effort from close range went straight to the keeper.
The Pikes team was: Martin, Collins, Brunton, O'Reilly, Farthing, Willgrass, Morton, Crawford (Magee, 68 mins), Ibbotson (Wash, 75 mins), Wood, Dickinson (Greening, 81 mins).
On Saturday, the Pikes are at home to in-form Buxton before facing another tough test at Mill Lane against FA Vase quarter-finalists Brigg Town on Tuesday, February 18 (kick-off, 7.45pm). Pickering's Vase conquerors St Blazey were held 1-1 at home after extra-time by the competition favourites Sudbury Town.
Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, February 12, 2003
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