PICKERING Town's long-awaited pre-season friendly with Bradford City fell victim to the weather, and was abandoned after 65 minutes.

The Pikes welcomed Sky Bet League Two side Bradford to Mill Lane in their third match of pre-season, with the visitors bringing an academy side to test their abilities against a Northern Counties Eastern League premier division outfit.

Pickering had led after George Brown capped off a well-worked set-piece when powering a header home from close-range.

However, the weather took its toll on the Mill Lane surface, forcing the referee to call an abandonment on the pre-season fixture.

Pickering had began their pre-season preparations with an incredible 12-0 rout of Sinnington, with strikes coming from Ben Silburn, Kieran Stares, Brown, two from Joe Wood, three from Nathan Dyer, and an impressive four goals from an unnamed trialist. 

A match at Ryedale Sports Club then took place against Billingham Synthonia, but the Pikes failed to wobble their North-East opponents, dropping to a 5-1 loss.

They are next in action at Yarm & Eaglescliffe on Saturday (2pm).