AFC New Fordley 2 Percy Main 0

Not a good day at the office....

Not a game for the purists and certainly not one for those of the Percy Main persuasion, as those who got lost trying to find Fordley's ground were probably wishing they hadn't found it at all, by the end of play.

Nice clubhouse at Annitsford Welfare mind, the sort that we are aspiring to, if ever......
A bit draughty out there on the far side, but 10 degrees warmer in the sunshine on the pavilion side, where the assembled faithful were refreshed by cool cans of Strongbow Dark Fruits and the like, while the busy catering staff knocked out some very palatable grub to the hungry and thirsty.

It was a poor show by The Main who failed to trouble the home goal for much of the contest, while if the New Fordley lads had've had their shooting boots on, their margin of victory may have been more comprehensive.

Predictably former Main man, Jordy Miller got sent off for Fordley, for comments made apparently and probably just as likely, Nicky Whitelaw who had played a game apiece for both sides this season, came off the bench and scored his side's second goal, just as our lads efforts had drawn a blank all afternoon.

That said, Percy Main had the first chance of the game and a good chance it was as well, within the first couple of minutes, Dan Souter crossed from the left and Connor Gales saw his low effort from close in, tipped round the post by Liam Dodds in the Fordley goal.
That was as good as it got for us, as at the other end, Kris Horn volleyed over The Main angle and Alex Henderson and Graeme Cairns both had efforts from free kicks near the edge of the area, fired into the assembled wall and narrowly over the bar respectively.

The first goal arrived just before the half hour mark as a penalty was awarded in the home side's favour. Pushing perhaps? The assistant on the near side, didn't know either, but Cairns made no mistake from the spot.

Horn for Fordley was proving a handful and he twice again went close, firstly heading into the hands of Shaun Backhouse and then glanced a header just the wrong side of the post from another Cairns free kick. As half time approached Percy Main had penalty shouts themselves, as Souter went down in the area, but this time, the whistler was unimpressed.

New Fordley started the second half on the offensive and Anderson must have wondered what he had to do to score. In the space of 10 minutes, he had an effort turned behind by Backhouse, fired narrowly over the bar and struck the base of the post as the homesters failed to increase their narrow lead.

That nearly proved costly as Dodds reacted to clear from the feet of Percy's Chris Glass and a minute later, the home custodian did well to parry an effort from Souter, who had been played in by Mark McDonnell.
That was about it attacking wise for The Main and despite Mr Miller's untimely exit, there were still 15 minutes remaining as Scott Brotherick headed wide for New Fordley, Ryan Hucks had a couple of efforts blocked and Dane Adams drilled across the face of goal.

With time up, Whitelaw profited from hesitancy in The Main defence to run on and double New Fordley's lead.....

Our last game of the season is next Saturday, at home to Wallington.