Joe Danby celebrates rounding off Pickering’s 3-0 win at Parkgate
Pickering Town’s recent surge of good form continued with the easy 3-0 win at Parkgate.
Two first half goals from Lewis Taylor – one from a very controversial penalty – gave Parkgate a mountain to climb and Joe Danby sealed the win for the visitors late-on.
After a stop-start to the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division season, Pickering are now finding their feet under new manager Paul Marshall.
His side celebrated their first league win of the campaign at Athersley Rec last week. The North Yorkshire-based side then followed that up with an impressive 2-2 draw with Retford United after playing over 70 minutes with nine men.
Pickering seemed to be the team most likely to score during a first half that had few clear-cut chances.
Parkgate, whose form has dipped in the last few weeks, fielded a number of new faces as Scott Lowe, Olly Graham, Gary Hibbert, Reece Wesley and Richard Wesley and Lee Johnson.
Among the debutants were Dan Vinten and Rikki Paylor.
Lewis Taylor scores the rebound from his first penalty which Parkgate goalkeeper Ben Brunt saved
Parkgate debutant Rikki Paylor was deemed to fouled George Bissett for the controversial second penalty
The protests went on for a while
Taylor held his nerve to score his second
George Bissett celebrates with Taylor
Parkgate assistant manager Gary Middleton gave his view to the officials at half-time
Vinten, who is also registered with Stocksbridge Park Steels, made the silly challenge inside the penalty area which paved the way for Pickering’s opener after almost 30 minutes played.
Taylor, the player who was fouled, watched as his spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Ben Brunt. Fortunately for Pickering, the ball rebounded back to Taylor and the striker didn’t miss at the second time of asking.
Parkgate had no complaints over that penalty. As for the other, the home side were incensed and their case was very strong.
Paylor appeared to clearly win the ball in a challenge with George Bissett, but referee Andrew Dallison thought otherwise and awarded a second spot kick – even though assistant referee Antony Wingate, who remained stationary before and after the decision, had a better view.
The protests continued until Taylor sent Brunt the wrong way with the penalty.
Pickering Town have collected seven points in a week under new boss Paul Marshall
Action from Parkgate 0-3 Pickering Town
Action from Parkgate 0-3 Pickering Town
Apart from a good appeal for a penalty at the start of the second half, Parkgate offered little in respond.
A third Pickering goal was always inevitable and Danby added it with low drive from outside the penalty area.
Parkgate’s day was compounded by the harsh dismissal of striker Craig Fletcher for a strong tackle – the only card shown in the contest.
Parkgate manager Steve Adams:
“I would say the penalties cost us.
“The first one was arguable, but everyone I have spoke to says the second one was never a penalty. He played the ball and it has cost us big-time. It was a real killer for us just before half-time.
“I’m really sick about it. It was pretty even up to then.
“We never got back into it. We probably only had two shots all game though which is not good enough.
“We seemed to keep falling out with the referee and linesmen and we never got going in the second half.”
Pickering Town manager Paul Marshall:
“It was a straightforward win and it was nice to get an easy possession game after Tuesday night because our players ran through a brick wall to get a point.
“It will be a lot more difficult on Tuesday night against Albion Sports, but it was nice to have a game which was like a practice match.
“The second penalty was fortunate, but you take it and it was a case of being professional and seeing the game out from there.
“It was great to see them look after the ball so well. I think possession-wise we probably had 80%.”
Parkgate: Brunt, Yates, Vinten, Warburton (L Johnson 80), Paylor, Jones, Abdula, Penty (Ashton 67), Fletcher, R Johnson (captain), Simpkins (Whittington 60). Subs unused: Wolsford, Bond.
Pickering Town: Lawrie, Tilsley (captain), Danby, Bennett (Foster 77), Turnbull, Ingram, Bissett, Cooper (Heads 60), Kamara (Hutchinson 62), Taylor, Dalton. Sub unused: Gunn.
Referee: Andrew Dallison
Ref Rating: 5/10 (poor decision for the second penalty, had no control over the match and allowed dissent at an extreme level)
Attendance: 83
Man of the match: George Bissett (Pickering Town)