GARFORTH Town were left in seventh heaven as their trip to Pickering’s Mill Lane proved to be a prolific one on Saturday.

The 7-0 thrashing was the Pikes’ heaviest home defeat of the season, and their third loss in four matches as their slide towards the NCEL premier division relegation zone continues.

Having opened the scoring in the 10th minute, their opponents led by five at the interval, before wrapping up the scoring in the 70th minute, goalkeeper Toby Wells one of the only players to finish the match with much credit.

New signing, former Bradford (Park Avenue) forward Rob Guilfoyle, was handed his debut, whilst captain Wayne Brooksby made his 100th Pikes appearance from the bench.

Garforth had been beaten 7-0 on their last trip to Ryedale, but began to quash memories of that day with just 10 minutes played, Sam Barker guiding Jay Davis’ cross into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

Davis teed up Nash Connolly to double the visitors’ lead from the restart, before the pair reversed, Davis scoring his side’s third on the half-hour mark.

Connolly completed his brace with a fine strike from the edge of the box, but there was still time for more jubilation for Garforth before the interval, midfielder turned full-back Rinor Ejupi sweetly striking a left-footed effort into the back of the net on the volley.

Remarkably, Davis had had a hand in all five of his side’s goals against a hapless Pikes.

Brooksby forced a smart stop out of Harry Flatters as Pickering looked to get themselves back into the contest but it was soon six for Garforth, Davis scoring his second after beating two defenders and finishing into the bottom corner.

A Jamie Thornton sin-bin did not help matters for the hosts, who then conceded a seventh via a deflection.

Substitute Wayne Kitula threatened a Pikes consolation but it was not meant to be on a rampant afternoon for the visitors.

Pickering will be hoping to put things right at Eccleshill United on Saturday (3pm).