FA CUP: Biggest Match For Pickering Town As BBC Arrives

Saturday, 13 September 2025 06:00

Pickering Town will be playing in front of the BBC cameras for the first time on Saturday in the FA Cup.

Pikes have reached the second qualifying round four times in their history, but has never gone one better.

They have a chance to do that on Saturday in a match that's being broadcast on BBC iPlayer and on the red button.

Runcorn Linnets, from the league above, provide the opposition.

Pickering have already knocked out another NPL East side in Redcar Athletic 5-2, they also dumped out Penrith and Easington Colliery, both from the Northern League.

Pikes are managed by ex-Scarborough FC, Scarborough Athletic and Whitby Town midfielder Tony Hackworth:

" We know we've got a tough game. We know we've got to be at our best to get anything out the game, but we go in full of confidence and we'll give it a good go like we did with in the last round. The lads have been absolutely fantastic. The full of confidence. We've had a long few weeks in terms of fixes in quick succession.

"I think the last three weeks we've had Wednesday, Fridays, it's been tough in terms of, getting on the training pitch. We had some tired legs, but they're still full of confidence."

Pikes lost 3-2 at Albion Sports in midweek, their first defeat of the season after a run of 11 unbeaten matches.

Hackworth says his side's improvement is due to being given the chance to hone it over time:

" I think just given initially just given enough time to put stamp on personnel.

"Finishing from 19th to previous season, the 10th. We made big strides. We wanted to kick them again this season, and that's our objective. We've started the season really well, but we know it's still early doors. Um, but go on the run that we've been on, you know, it's been fantastic. Our fan base have gone up considerably.

"Obviously that helps when you're winning football matches, but it's been brilliant having a lot more people attend our home games along may continue."

Kick-off is 12.30pm at Mill Lane.

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