Selby Town 2-3 Pickering Town
Ryan Blott’s first half hat-trick denied Christian Fox a victory on his much-heralded homecoming at Selby Town.
However, there were positive signs in the second half as Cameron Mulhearn’s spectacular double inspired comeback from a young Selby side.
Apart from a handful of experienced faces such as Calum Ward, Brett Lucas and Reuben Pearse, most of the Selby side were classed as youngsters. So the challenge of playing last season’s Toolstation NCEL Premier Division runners-up was always going to be tough.
Blott headed Pickering into an early goal. He was then gifted two quick-fire goals close to half-time to complete his treble.
There were lots of planned changes by Fox at the interval. The second half replacements enjoyed more than their first half counter-parts.
A screamer from Mulhearn reduced the deficit. Selby then hit the crossbar with another fabulous strike.
Mulhearn scored another sweetly hit effort late-on, just a little bit too late to spark a dramatic finish.