PICKERING Town outclassed a strangely languid Selby Town at the Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium as both sides continued their pre-season preparations, writes Phil Dearnley.

The pattern of the match was set very early and the pacey Pickering Town soon were pressing Selby back.

Twice in quick succession goalkeeper Dylan Parkin was forced to deal with incisive passes behind the Selby back line.

The sense was that it was only a matter of time before Pickering opened the scoring, and sure enough a good passing move down Selby’s right resulted in the ball being fed back for early substitute Lewis Taylor to score.

The second Pickering goal arrived soon after. Another smart move down Selby’s right saw full-back Jake Watson set up Wayne Brooksby for a stooping header.

Selby's Jonny Bruce, in charge in place of the absent Christian Fox, tried freshening up the team by deploying substitutes.

But that did not turn the tide and Pickering got their third goal when Thomas Alngohuro finished a slick foray forward.

After half-time, Robins fans finally had something to cheer when returning star Liam Flanagan slotted home after some good build-up work by JP Vass.

Unfortunately, the Selby delight did not last long.

Another sharp passing move played in a Pickering trialist.

Parkin was able to parry the point blank shot, but unfortunately the ball fell to another trialist who gave the goalkeeper no chance with the rebound.

The Pikes ended the match as they began. They again carved open the hosts' defence and Lewis Taylor deftly guided the ball past the helpless Parkin for his double.