Pickering Town is preparing for its biggest match ever in the FA Vase competition this Saturday, when they make the long journey to Wimborne Town in Dorset for the fifth round.

Pikes Chairman Tony Dunning said: "We're looking forward to it. There's about 27 supporters going down on the Saturday.

"We've had someone down to watch Wimborne and came back with pages of notes. I think we've got them well covered.

"They're a reasonable side so we've got a reasonable chance. The manager is confident, the players are confident so we'll see."

The winners will reach the quarter finals and receive £2,000 in prize money from the Football Association and their sponsors, Carlsberg.

The Pikes still have a few seats available for Saturday's trip. Anyone wishing to make the journey is asked to contact Tony Dunning quickly - his telephone numbers are (01751) 472627 work or home 473697.

The coach will leave Pickering on Saturday morning at 7am and return on Sunday after a night in Bournemouth hopefully celebrating the Pikes reaching the quarter finals.

If the game at Wimborne ends in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time of 15 minutes each way will be played. If the result is still a draw, the replay will be at Pickering on Saturday, February 18, kick off 3pm.

Wimborne play in the Sydenhams Wessex League First Division. Last Saturday, they were held 1-1 at home by mid-table Moneyfields, and last Tuesday night they were well beaten 4-2 away by Winchester City, the current league leaders and FA Vase favourites. Wimborne are currently ninth, although they have games in hand on the teams above them with the exception of seventh-placed Andover.

Northern Counties East League: Pickering Town 0, Harrogate Railway 0

This end-to-end match was played, for the most part, in wet and blustery conditions. With no love lost between the two rivals, tempers flared as a number of penalties were given each way.

Harrogate were quick off the mark and saw an attempt on goal go wide three minutes into the game. Lee Nogan had the Pikes' first attempt but watched his shot after a throw-in sail over the crossbar.

The Pikes then got stuck in, with Ricky Greening going one-on-one with Harrogate keeper Tom Morgan, who did well to save.

After 18 minutes, Silburn found himself under pressure after blocking a shot on goal, only to watch it fly straight up in the air, forcing him to save it again.

The Pikes then began to really battle to keep the ball. After 20 minutes, Matthew Morton was fouled. Stephen Swales took the kick but the ball was cleared by Morgan. Mark Swales then made an attempt on goal, going up against Morgan, who again saved.

After 33 minutes, Silburn was caught out off his line, and a number of Pikes defenders had to pile in to clear the ball over the bar. The corner led to a packed goalmouth but Silburn saved.

As the rain worsened and play became increasingly slippery, a throw-in by Lee Pallender saw the ball stick under Nogan's feet in front of Harrogate's goal with the only the keeper to beat.

After the interval, the rain eased and the Pikes became hungrier for the win. In what was possibly the miss of the game, Mark Swales got possession on the halfway line, beat his marker and the keeper, but had the agony of seeing his shot go wide.

This seemed to spur the Pikes on. After 60 minutes, Stephen Swales had a shot saved by the keeper. Then a long kick by Morton hit the side netting. Five minutes later, a cross from Greening to Mark Swales saw him again shoot across the goal with the keeper beaten.

The ball just refused to go into the net, and even when Nogan and Stephen Swales linked up in a goalmouth scramble, the match remained goal-less. Undeterred, Mark Swales had two more shots deflected by Morgan.

With four minutes to go, Greening and substitute Liam Salt made some great passes which created an attempt on goal but it was saved. With what turned out to be the last attempt of the game, Greening and Salt again went close.

The team was: Silburn, Pallender (Rose 68), Brunton, Eeles, Ramm, MacAuley, Greening, Morton (Salt 82), M Swales, Nogan (Roberts 88), S Swales.

The Pikes made long trek to Mickleover Sports last Saturday. The game ended goalless for the Pikes to return home with vital points.

Mickleover had the better of the first half. Their best chance fell to Tony Leighton after 29 minutes, but Jamie Ramm cleared the ball off the goal-line with Silburn beaten. In the second half, Silburn made two brilliant saves and Mark Swales and Morton had shots go wide in front of a crowd of 97, with Carl Silburn the Pikes' Man of the Match.

Last Wednesday, the Pikes went out of the North Riding County FA Senior Cup competition at Northallerton Town 2-1. Ross Diamond fired the home side ahead after 29 minutes. A minute later, and Karl Charlton doubled his side's lead.

Nogan fired the Pikes back into the game after 34 minutes but Northallerton held out for a worthy semi-final place when they will visit Marske United, the winners will play the winners of the York City v Scarborough game in the final. The Pikes' Man of the Match at Northallerton was Danny Brunton.

Whatever happens at Wimborne on Saturday, the Pikes will be back in Cup action on Tuesday when they will visit either Thackley or Selby Town in the League Cup fourth round. The replay between Thackley and Selby Town was due to be played last night (Tuesday) at Thackley. The game next Tuesday will kick off at 7.45pm.

On Saturday, the Reserves visited table toppers Bedale and drew 2-2, coming from a goal down once in each half. Both the Pikes' goals were scored by Jon Brown. Ryan Merrion was the Pikes' Man of the Match. The Reserves are without a game this Saturday.

On Monday, February 13, the Under-19s are at home to Goole, kick off 7.30pm.

The Pikes have a Sportsmans Evening planned for Thursday, April 20, in the Recreation Club when their guest speaker will be the former Football League referee and much sought after after-dinner speaker Kevin Lynch.

Ticket arrangements will be announced later. Also, Easter draw tickets will be available shortly.

Updated: 15:15 Wednesday, February 08, 2006