Percy Main 3 Northbank Carlisle 1

It's been a good month.....

A resurgent Percy Main side, made it 7 points from a possible 9 during the opening month of 2018, with a deserved win over Northbank Carlisle at Purvis Park. The home side had a helping hand from Northbank's Mike Hayton who inadvertently headed Jake Forster's right wing cross into his own net to give The Main a 27th minute lead and when the visitors Ricky James scored the goal of the game to narrow a 2-0 deficit not long into the second half, there were brief worries of a comeback from the Cumbrian's which thankfully were soon quashed.

With a large squad at his disposal, Main team manager Steve Hurd restored Sam Thompson to the line up (with his new sharp haircut so he can blend in more with all those rough Walker lads who are now in the squad) and he partnered Ben Senior in the attack, while at the back recent signing Dale Johnson, has proved an astute acquisition and he gave a faultless display at the heart of the defence alongside the equally impressive James Mobberley.

Percy Main stated their intentions from the off and pressed the Northbank defence as Senior linked up with Jack Armstrong, but his shot cleared the crossbar and Thompson fired just past the far post. At the other end, Main goalkeeper Rob Rodgerson had to be alert to snuff out the danger of a 19th minute Northbank attack as James played in Robbie Cowley, but the action soon switched back to the visitors goal as Marcus McCreedy twice threatened, firstly with a header which was cleared from the line and then a shot which flashed across the face of goal.

Senior went close once more as he volleyed narrowly wide from Thompson's centre, before the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes, following good work down the right by Forster, which forced the unfortunate Hayton to concede an own goal and put The Main in front. Forster cheekily tried to claim the goal as a 'deflection' by the unfortunate defender, on the Percy Facebook page, but we're having none of that....
The goal buoyed the homesters and 7 minutes later Percy Main doubled their lead as Forster showed great persistence down the right and played in Thompson who slotted the ball home despite the efforts of Stephen Townsley in the visitors goal.

Towards the end of the first half Rodgerson denied Northbank's James and Robert Hamilton's effort from distance was wide of the visitors post, but it was Northbank who struck after the break as Kieran Blair's centre into the penalty area was met perfectly by the dangerous James who volleyed home giving Rodgerson no chance.

It was a sublime finish, there was no doubt and continued James recent goalscoring record against Percy Main, but any thoughts of a comeback by the visitors were dashed on the hour mark, as a long throw from Armstrong on the left, helped into the area by Hamilton was steered low, into the bottom corner by Senior, with Thompson closing in as well, just in case.

Jonny Storey replaced Senior for The Main and he fired into the hands of Townsley following a neat back heel by Forster and Armstrong, Forster and Hamilton all had efforts, high, wide and not so handsome which reached Row Z. To their credit Northbank showed no lack of effort and Blair tested Rodgerson with a low shot from the right, before a late attempt by the visitors saw Lee Underwood force the home custodian into a save, which was scrambled behind by Rob Watson.

Jorge Bollado was gainfully employed eyeing up all the 'young' ladies in the cricket club afterwards - he's probably been back today.....

Shankhouse away next week.....