NCEL Premier Division

Pickering Town 1, Brodsworth MW 4

THE Pikes' dismal start to the season continued last night when they were well beaten by a mediocre Brodsworth side, who have now completed the double over them - both times by three-goal margins.

A goalless first half saw Pikes' keeper Kevin Martin make several outstanding saves. Jody Chapman also cleared off the line twice within seconds.

With the second half less than a minute old, a Gareth Collinson cross was handled in the box by Chris Kamara and Terry Taylor put the visitors in front. Taylor added his second five minutes later with a 12-yard left-foot shot. With the Pikes all at sea, Brodsworth went 3-0 up through Phil Taylor after 64 minutes.

There was some relief on 70 minutes when Pickering scored their first goal at Mill Lane this season after four and a half games. Ben Rhodes split the defence open to find Phil O'Reilly, who flicked the ball on for Ryan Crawford for the youngster to power home an unstoppable shot.

This brought the Pikes to life and they looked like they might grab another but then Brodsworth restored their three-goal advantage through sub Mark Vicerage on 77 minutes.

Former Scarborough defender Marcus Jones and youngster Seb Towse made impressive debuts for Town. Whilst there is a long way to go, a quarter of league games have already been played and the Pikes are in desperate need of points.

Once again, several first team players were absent, exposing Pickering's thin first team squad. Boss Steve Brown admitted: "We've not got the strength in depth. We're having to play kids at the moment and it is not the time.

"We need to get all our players back fit and on the training ground because there are some fundamental things wrong at the moment and it's not enjoyable for the fans, the players or the manager." Brown is hoping to sign an attacker and a defender in the next week.

Pickering Town 0, Goole 2

Play was even in a goalless first half, though Goole had the better chances. The Pikes' only chance came when Chris Kamara and Ryan Crawford combined well to set up Gavin Dickinson, whose left-foot shot was tipped round for a corner by the Goole keeper. Jody Chapman's shot hit the side netting from the resultant corner.

Goole scored twice in a second half which saw referee Ian Fox caution six Pikes players, and one Goole player for what seemed innocuous offences.

Goole took the lead after 54 minutes when a right-wing cross by Peter Myers found Darren Fell, whose looping header found the net. Former Doncaster Rovers player Fell was the best player on the field and he deserved his goal. Fell scored his second goal after 71 minutes when he received the ball from Graham Rennison - a former Whitby player. Fell cut in from the left wing and gave Kevin Martin no chance from 12 yards.

The Pikes did well against a strong, experienced side but lacked attacking options.

On Saturday, the Pikes visit Buxton. Last Thursday, Pickering under-18s lost 3-1 at home to Thackley in the FA Youth Cup. Nicky Willis scored for the Pikes. The reserves are at home this Saturday to Wakefield and Emley. Last Saturday, they lost 6-0 at Thackley, with all the goals scored in the second half.

Updated: 09:37 Wednesday, September 25, 2002