Percy Main got back to winning ways with a fairly comfortable win over FC United of Newcastle, who currently prop up the division and without a league win all season, but nevertheless, the young and improving home side, could undoubtedly take credit for their efforts throughout the game which was played in an excellent spirit throughout.
For The Main, who kept a clean sheet for only the 2nd time this season, the game might've yielded more goals than the final outcome, but for some errant finishing, particularly in the second half which failed to unduly trouble Daniel Maughan in the United goal and which sent the home entourage scurrying time and time again to retrieve a few bouncing footballs from the adjacent school yard, while there was some dogged defending throughout by the homesters.
Due to player unavailability there were 5 changes to the Percy Main side which had gone down to Whitley Bay 'A' in midweek, including experienced goalkeeper Paul Marsh who came in for his debut and Jorge Bollado restored to the front line, who took only 3 minutes to give his side the lead. Joe Rowan was one of those who kept his place in the starting line up from the game 3 days previous and he made a telling early contribution as he unselfishly laid the ball off for Bollado who finished well and the watching ensemble wondered if they were going to see a goal fest in Percy Main's favour.
That didn't materialise and the score was to remain the same until after the hour mark and United themselves fashioned a couple of half chances as Tye Heaney lofted the ball over the bar and Anthony Dobie brought a save from Marsh, but with Kieran Tubman and Dale Johnson looking composed at the heart of the visitors defence, United found chances coming there way at a premium. At the other end Bollado fired over following good play from Rowan and Bollado and Jake Forster brought a save from the home custodian, Jack Armstrong sporting his new shiny orange boots and a fetching, snug pair of shorts, fired wide and Rowan hit the base of the post.
The second half proved more or less all one way traffic as Percy Main pressed relentlessly. Early play saw Rowan twice, Forster and Ronan Attwood all go close without hitting the target, but it wasn't until the 64th minute that the visitors lead was finally doubled as Forster cut in from the right and played in Rowan who executed a low finish past Maughan.
Main substitute Dan Henderson on for Attwood struck the post having been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, before the same combination made it 3 as clever play by Forster found Rowan who went on to score his 7th goal in only 1 1 appearances for Percy Main. There was still time for Kayne McGillan to almost add a 4th, while Rowan's 83rd minute strike was inches away from his hat trick.
Birtley Town at home tomorrow (Monday) night - 6:30 kick off.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
9. | Shankhouse | 30 | 44 |
10. | Gateshead Rutherford AFC | 30 | 38 |
11. | Percy Main Amateurs | 30 | 38 |
12. | AFC Newbiggin | 30 | 29 |
13. | Gateshead FC 'A' | 30 | 27 |
14. | Northbank Carlisle | 30 | 22 |
15. | North Shields Athletic | 30 | 19 |