DANBY lost out by the odd goal in this top-of-the-table clash.
Pickering took the game to the home side, starting confidently and adapting to the grass pitch quickly.
Playing into a stong wind in the first half, Danby stepped up their pace and retaliated with some good play in midfield from Kath Hoggarth and Louise Dowson.
But Pickering were first to convert a goal-scoring opportunity 15 minutes in.
Danby lost a key striker when Cath Wignall went off following an injury and despite a good spell of possession and consistent determined play, the half-time score remained 1-0.
Kath Hoggarth (right) goes for a challenge as Danby take on Pickering
With the wind on their side, Danby had a strong start to the second half and the scores were level when Julie Stainthorpe fired the ball across the keeper into the far corner.
The game was extremely competetive and closely matched throughout.
Danby lost a defender to injury and imediately afterwards conceded what was to be the winning goal from a short corner.
Both teams continued to battle hard until the final whistle, with further chances for each side.
Karen Dowson gets a block in
Danby narrowly missed out on an equaliser in the dying seconds but it was a good all-round team performance.
Player of the match: Julie Stainthorpe.
Thank you to the Downe Arms, Castleton, for sponsorship.
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