PICKERING Town made a winning start to the new NCEL Premier Division season with a 4-2 comeback victory at Frickley Athletic.

The Pikes recovered from a two-goal deficit to run out winners in West Yorkshire, with George Brown kick starting their fightback before a Harry Jessop double had the game turned on its head by the hour.

Captain Wayne Brooksby then rounded off the scoring late on from the spot.

With lots of speculation and negativity during the off-season after the club had narrowly avoided relegation, it was integral that Tony Hackworth’s side got off to a positive start.

But a pre-season described by chairman Jamie Hopwood as ‘a million times better’ than last year, on early signs, looked to have paid off.

The first half was nervy from both teams with unforced errors giving position away easily. 

But it was the hosts who opened the scoring with nine minutes played, Jack Varley breaking through the Pickering defence before slotting home from a tight angle.

Frickley started to dominate in midfield, although both teams created good chances.

Jessop had a goal disallowed for offside, Brown weaved past a couple of defenders before seeing his shot cleared of the line and Jamie Thornton was denied with an outstanding save from the goalkeeper.

That said, their one-goal deficit was doubled just six minutes into the second half when Luke Williams waltzed around Alfie Burnett to score.

Pickering reacted swiftly to make some bold changes, utilising their bench and moving Brooksby back into the heart of midfield.

And it paid off almost immediately, triggering some of the most exciting football that the Pikes have produced over recent seasons.

Brown got the ball rolling with a well-taken goal on 57 minutes, sitting a defender on the floor with some tricky footwork before calmly slotting the ball in the bottom left-hand corner. 

And just minutes later, he created another opportunity, the ball falling to Jessop, who slotted home an equaliser.

Straight from the kick-off the Pikes had the ball back again, turning the game on its head when Harry Lovick squared the ball for Jessop to fire them in front on the hour.

The Frickley players were getting more and more frustrated at not being able to get the ball, and in a moment of madness during the visitors’ goal celebrations, they had a man sent off for kicking out at Connor Avison as he ran past to celebrate the goal with his teammates.

Pickering had the ball in the back of the net again five minutes later after another great team move saw Brown break down the left wing before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Kieran Stares to smash home on the volley, but he was ruled to have strayed offside.

But the Pikes were not to be denied again inside the final minute.

Substitute Joe Wood was brought down inside the box, with the responsibility given to Brooksby, who slotted home from the spot to seal a 4-2 victory.

Manager Hackworth believes his side’s comeback showed just how positive their pre-season has been.

Speaking to the club, he said: “I think it was evident how much fitter we are as a team and how we got around the pitch.

“We scored four goals in the second half and we could have easily have scored three or four in the first half as well.

“They got a little ticking off at half time because we weren’t happy with the way they performed - although they did create chances, we still weren’t happy with them.

“But to come away from home for the first game of the season, pick up three points and play like we did in the second half is really, really pleasing.”

Pickering return to action on Saturday at Penrith in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup (3pm).