MARSHAL TYRES sponsored Pocklington turned in another improving performance at home last Saturday but despite playing well and dominating the game for large periods, found themselves at the wrong end of their second 1-0 result against North Cave this season. With a combination of injury and unavailability again hampering team selection, a debut was given to U19 player Callum Quarton and with Pock setting off at a good pace, Aziz Bartakat played in Chris Saltmer on 3 minutes for a cross to the far post to set up Dave O'Connor. His header just missed the target as Dave was flattened for his troubles but Cave replied with a throw in that was badly defended by Town and a shot that bounced to safety off the cross bar.

 

With Towns defence of George Alport, Mark Watkinson, Jim Drewery and Barakat defending well as a unit, Cave were unable to get behind the Pock defence and Pock were the next to threaten when a James Haigh corner was partially cleared only for Haighs follow up shot to go narrowly wide. Barakat saw the Cave defence flat and played in Martyn Day for a one on one chance but Matt Johnson in the Cave goal came to his sides rescue with a block from Days shot. 4 minutes later, Pock were unlucky not to take the lead when from another Haigh corner, Chris Saltmers shot was blocked onto the crossbar by the keeper and after a scramble, the ball was hacked to safety.

 

Cave made the most of this let of as from the clearance, they took the lead when for the first time the Pock defence got stretched and good interplay between Joe Lightowler and Craig Cockin played in Tom Foster for a miss-hit effort into the corner. Despite going into the break a goal down, Pock could take a lot of heart from their performance and made a good start to the second half as they got on the ball and played some neat football in their approach play. O'Connor was hauled down right on the edge of the area on 53 minutes and despite Town claiming that their man was inside the area when fouled, their appeal for a penalty was turned down and Drewery could only blaze the resulting free kick narrowly wide of the right hand post.

 

A Haigh free kick was flicked on by O'Connor on the hour and picked out Watkinsons far post run but with the ball on his weaker left foot he was unable to keep his shot on target as Town threatened but Cave were just as dangerous on the break and on 53 minutes, they got down the Pock right and it needed Drewerys timely intervention at the far post to prevent a goal scoring chance. With Pock pressing hard for an equaliser, Cave defended well and in depth and despite efforts from several Pock players as the clock ran down, the visitors held firm to record the win and cement their fourth place in the league.

 

Town can and should take a lot of positives from this game though and with a cup game away against North Cave to come this Saturday will be looking for more of the same level of performance, with the winners due to move into the quarter finals. Players meet at the club at 12pm please as it is a 1.30 pm kick off.