Hallam shines but Liversedge slip to defeat

Pickering Town 3

LIVERSEDGE slipped to 14th place in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division following last Saturday’s defeat at home to Pickering.

The Clayborners started brightly and created the better first half chances but Pickering upped their game after the break to take the spoils.

Sedge took an eighth minute lead from the first chance of the game when Alex Hallam turned and produced a splendid volley into the top corner.

Two minutes later, Nathan Cartman produced a great run to the by-line and played the ball across the face of goal but unfortunately nobody was able to tap it home and Pickering hacked to safety.

Carl Stewart broke and shot over from a good position but he was later to punish the home side.

Liversedge failed to clear their lines and striker Steve Baxter laid the ball back for Tom Fenwick to fire home a 29th minute equaliser from the edge of the area.

Cartman held up a defender well before turning his man but his shot was well saved, while new signing Paddy Maguire headed wide from a good position as it remained 1-1 at half-time.

Another mistake inside the Liversedge area gifted the chance for Stewart to rifle home and put Pickering ahead just two minutes after the restart and the visitors upped the tempo to cause further problems.

Baxter shot wide after 52 minutes and Fenwick was off target with a header soon after before Pickering added a crucial third.

Stewart curled a shot towards goal but although Lee Ashforth looked to have tipped it over the crossbar the ball dipped and landed agonisingly over the line.

Liversedge’s best chance to get back in the game came after 76 minutes when Hallam fed Cartman but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Liversedge: Ashforth, Hay, White, Wood, Riordan, Hopkins, D Bordman, Lawler (R Bordman 77), Cartman, Maguire, Hallam. Subs (not used): Knight, Larkin, Cooper, Thompson.

Clayborn will stage the Northern Youth Alliance League Cup final between Fields Under-19s and Pickering Under-19s on Sunday April 29, kick-off 2.30pm.