Northbank Carlisle 1 Percy Main 3

A rare win in Cumbria!

Thanks to ace correspondent Jon Laws for this week's match details over on Cumbria...

Carlisle has never been a happy hunting ground for Percy Main, whichever of the Cumbrian teams that we have faced in recent times, but Saturday proved a different kettle of fish, despite a threadbare squad which included the bare X1, with only goalkeeper Craig Byrne and manager Steve Hurd on the bench. Nonetheless, The Main turned in a cracking performance to claim a rare win at The Sheepmount. That said, there were still a few nervous periods in the second half and the game wasn't made safe until Joe Rowan's 86th minute goal.

On a sweltering afternoon Percy Main almost took the lead in the first minute as Ryan Richardson, making only his 3rd appearance of the season, was through on goal, but the home goalkeeper saved with his legs at the expense of a corner and at the other end Rob Rodgerson denied Northbank, who later were unable to profit from a free kick awarded for handball from a threatening position.

Joe Rowan, Ben Senior, Ron Attwood and Dan Hadfield, all had attempts for the visitors, who deservedly went in front on 34 minutes as Rowan played in Forster who held off his marker before firing low past the goalkeeper. A minute later, Forster almost turned provider as he crossed from the bye line to Richardson who fired over from the edge of the area.

There was a let off soon after when a Northbank forward was unable to capitalise on a 1 on 1 with Rodgerson, but otherwise as the welcome half the whistle sounded, Percy Main could be well pleased, with their possession, chances created and lead at the break.

Northbank had the lions share at the beginning of the second half, but were unable to make a breakthrough, while The Main always looked dangerous as Richardson combined with Senior, but the home goalkeeper was equal to his effort and Forster controlled well and rattled the home crossbar on 50 minutes.

As this season has shown, there are always goals when Percy Main take to the field and the visitors duly doubled their lead on 57 minutes as Hadfield picked up a loose ball well outside the area and fired home a rocket of a shot into the top corner - what a goal it was!

There was stout defending throughout by Kieran Tubman and Robert Hamilton who never missed a header throughout, but Northbank threw themselves a lifeline on 65 minutes, with a long range free kick to which Rodgerson was able to get his hands to, but was powerless to prevent the goal.

Richardson threatened again for The Main, following good play by Forster and was denied what looked to be a penalty as the home goalkeeper appeared to have floored him, but the referee was having none of it.

Byrne on as an outfield substitute on 81 minutes almost registered himself with a shot from just outside the area which cleared the crossbar, but Percy Main restored their 2 goal cushion as Attwood won the ball and played in Richardson who sped past his marker before squaring to Rowan and his low strike found the bottom corner.

Killingworth Town away on Wednesday night....