N C East Premier Div                          Mon. 3 Jan 2005

GLASSHOUGHTON WELFARE   1    PICKERING TOWN  1                                           

Although the visitors came as firm favourites having gone nine games without defeat and being tipped as probable league champions it was Welfare who looked the more dangerous during the early stages, Remo Nessa driving wide before Jason Bradley’s effort was blocked and scrambled away by a desperate defence

Welfare stayed on the offensive to go in front, a defence splitting ball from Mark Newton putting Jamie Thomson on goal who received an untimely shove which the referee saw as an offence and Julian Wilkes despatched the resultant penalty kick on 12 minutes.

Town came back hard but Welfare were still creating opportunities, Jason Bradley hitting a fierce shot wide and Nessa executing a clever lob from a distance which beat custodian Kevin Martin only to go the wrong side of the upright.  Town were beginning to show their class and Welfare were glad to see a good effort by Seb Towse go narrowly over and then the same player side footed on to the crossbar when it looked easier to score.

Pickering began the second period seemingly determined to get on level terms and Welfare were forced back for lengthy periods although a clever through ball from Bradley released Nessa for a golden opportunity to increase the home lead but his chip which beat Martin drifted over the woodwork.  Richard Dobson and Paul Mattison were dominant in a beleaguered home defence but again the opportunities came to possibly make the game safe when Martin Woolford failed to beat Martin in a one to one and substitute Darren Leach ballooned a good chance over.  The busy Town were not however to be denied and levelled on 69 minutes with a slick move almost the length of the field which was finished off with a low drive by Mark Swales.

Pickering went all out for the winner with Welfare defending somewhat desperately at times, Karl Codd saving a low grubber at the second attempt with forwards ready to pounce, but Welfare held out against strong opposition to gain a valuable point to keep them just out of a possible relegation dog fight at the bottom of the table

Team: Karl Codd, John Haigh (Gareth Liversedge), Alex Hanson, Richard Dobson, Paul Mattison, Jamie Thomson, Julian Wilkes (Carl Fox), Remo Nessa, Jason Bradley, Mark Newton, Martin Woolford (Darren Leech)