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pikes ready for promotion push
AFTER a busy pre-season Pickering Town have emerged as one of the favourites to bag the solitary promotion spot into the Unibond League Division One North.
Pikes boss Mark Wood has recruited heavily and skipper Joe Connor is confident the club can this season book a leading place in the NCEL Premier division, which kicks off with a trip to Bridlington Town on Saturday.
Among the Pikes signings are Scarborough Town’s Josh Greening, Marske frontman Jon Newton and ex-York midfielder Christian Fox.
Former Boro man Dave Thompson has also joined the Pickering ranks, while West Pier striker Paul Provins has spent much of the pre-season on trial.
It is the arrival of Fox from Selby Town that Connor feels will ingnite the Pikes season.
He said: “I played with Christian at Selby and in my opinion he is the best player in this division bar none.
“He has had an unlucky time with injuries. He was on the verge of a big- money move when he was at York, but he damaged his knee ligaments.
“His signing is a massive coup for the club. With the other additions and the lads we already have down here, things are looking very good for the new season.
“It will be difficult for boss Mark Wood when the first game comes around because he will have to cut a list of 22 good lads down to just 14.”
Connor is looking forward to the derby aspect of the new season as well, with the arrival of Scarborough Athletic in the NCE’s top flight, and the opening clash at Bridlington Town.
He added: “We couldn’t have a tougher start, especially with the game against Brid being at their place.
“It should be a very interesting game, as will the Boro one because Pickering have a point to prove.
“The 7-1 President’s Cup defeat against them last season was just a bad night for the club. It certainly wasn’t a true reflection of what we are capable of.
“Boro’s arrival in the league will give us one of those bigger, derby games that everyone wants to be a part of.
“With the local angle and the atmosphere that will be created by their huge crowds, I think both matches will be very exciting.”
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Weather for Malton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
