FA Vase Third Round

Pickering Town 2

Stewarts and Lloyds 0

PICKERING Town made history on Saturday by reaching the fourth round of the Carlsberg FA Vase - the furthest stage the club has ever reached.

The Pikes are now Yorkshire's only remaining side left in the prestigious national competition and will play Tiptree United at home on January 19 in the last 32. Tiptree, from Essex, are currently 11th in the Jewson Eastern Counties League Premier Division.

In their match against Stewarts and Lloyds, the Pikes were not at their best but, as is the mark of a good side, they clawed out a positive result whilst not being on top form.

With the Pikes kicking towards the Gazette and Herald stand in the first half, the visitors almost took a fifth-minute lead when Kevin Malcolm crossed from the right for John Coe to head over the crossbar.

The Pikes' first attack was after 12 minutes. A Tom Reid right-wing cross found Adam Wash, whose overhead kick went wide. Stewarts and Lloyds saw chances to Shaun Driver and Paddy McCan go wide, before Pickering's Joe Connor had a 20-yard free kick saved by Kevin Fox on the half hour mark.

Two minutes before half-time, the Pikes keeper Adam Mitchell made a couple of outstanding saves to prevent goals by Malcolm and McCann.

The second half saw a huge improvement by the Pikes. They went in front after 51 minutes. A great cross from Matthew Morton on the right wing found Stephan Zoll, who flicked the ball across goal for Adam Wash to score with a well-taken goal.

This was just the tonic the Pikes needed. In the next 15 minutes, they went on the attack as Gavin Dickinson, Stephan Zoll and Alex Willgrass all went close. Stewarts created very little in the second half. The all-important second goal was scored after 83 minutes. Dean MacAuley won the ball on the halfway line, linked up well with sub Ricky Greening, and then found Alex Willgrass, who beat a couple of players and struck a fierce, angled drive from 15 yards to wrap up victory. The goal capped a whole-hearted display from Wilgrass and fulfilled a promise he'd made to Tony Dunning, after his chairman, cajoling on the touchline, had asked him for a goal.

The Pikes will be joined by two other sides from the Northern Counties East League Premier Division in the next round. Brigg Town travel to Bedlington Terriers and Arnold Town are at home to neighbours Heanor Town.

On Saturday, the Pikes visit Sheffield FC, who now play at Dronfield between Sheffield and Chesterfield (kick-off 3pm). On Tuesday, December 18, they are at home to Bedale in the North Riding County FA Senior Cup (7.45pm).

Updated: 10:18 Thursday, December 13, 2001