NPL NW Division Pickering Town v Reds Sat 22 Sept

We were shocking first half. Think it was a mistake to leave Hubbold on the bench with Atkinson out as we had absolutely no outlet for the defenders playing out from the back. Think it was doubly important to have Hubbold start with Atkinson missing. Grainger at least recognised this and hooked Casson at Half time for him.

New Keeper didnt have a great first half but he is only a kid and never played with our defence before, made a howler for their 2nd though. Did make a couple of good saves and looked more comfortable in the 2nd.

Too many individual mistakes, poor touches and sloppy passing was the theme of the first half, much better 2nd Hubbold bossed the game and gave us control of the midfield and Symington kept their defence from pushing up too much. Jerome was very quiet but was feeding off scraps really, came more into the game as we upped the tempo after the break, took his goal well.

Pickering looked really good going forward first half, worked their socks off and their number 10 gave Clarke and Goose a torrid time. They looked very suspect at the back as soon as we went more direct, Bowman coming on gave them an extra big lad to worry about. Probably should have taken the three points after Symington hit the bar but Carroll headed the rebound over.

At half time you would have taken a point as 2-0 down we looked like we wouldnt create a chance let along score 2 but in the end feels like we should have taken the three points we just left it too late to start playing.

Like everyone I'm disappointed that we didnt pick up all 3 points,probably a reminder that every point this year will be hard earned with all the opposition clubs after our scalp.Losing Atkinson obviously was a massive blow and affected the performance at the back,definitely need a back up keeper though. Positives are the second half, manager not afraid to make changes and the fact that we will score and also play entertaining football. There is a decent recording of the game on Pickerings Twitter page,pity the bloke misses the last 20 minute due to camera failure