5 Taken Breaths

So last week's monsoons meant Percy Main v Harraby was called off for the third time this season; here's my programme articles then -:

From The Main:

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Purvis Park for this afternoon’s Pin Point Recruitment Northern Alliance Premier Division game against our old friends from Carlisle, Harraby Catholic Club, which is our final home game of the season. I’d like to extend a special welcome to all the players, supporters and officials associated with our Cumbrian visitors, knowing full well that win, lose or draw, our pal Mike Little will be giving the John Smiths in the Cricket Club the benefit of his connoisseur’s palate. There   is no doubt that if the game had been played on its first scheduled date, back on December 17th, we would have had several extra guests at our club Christmas do at the Tap & Spile, as our esteemed Cumbrian visitors know how to drink a sup. The game between the two sides was also called off on February 3rd because of snow and ice; the way the weather has been since Easter, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s off again today!!

Last week, the Main were inactive, with our last game being the 2-1 friendly win over Chemfica on April 7th. However, results elsewhere mean that our safety in the alliance top flight has been mathematically assured; I’d like to pay tribute to Beanie and all the lads for a magnificent post-Christmas shift to ensure this is the case. We currently sit in 11th place in the table; let’s try and get as high as we can in the 3 remaining games. Harraby are a class side and remain on the edfge of the title race in 5th place, with 3 games in hand on the leading pack. The Cumbrians have twice beaten us at their place this term; 1-0 in the Challenge Cup in November and 3-0 in the League encounter in early December. However, hope must spring eternal and we can take solace from the fact that the Main have avoided defeat in our last 2 home games against Harraby. In August 2009, we won a pre-season friendly 2-1 with goals by Joe Betts and Liam Knox (while a certain Mr Little sunbathed with a few pints while, concentrating on the sound of leather on willow next door). In October 2010, we drew 0-0 in a simply superb game of football that was a credit to both sides. Let’s hope for more of the same today!

After today, Percy Main are on their travels for the last two games; at Hebburn Reyrolle on Wednesday 25th April at 6.15 and in already relegated Murton’s final Northern Alliance game on Saturday May 5th, kick off 2.30.However, there is one more important game to be held at Purvis Park on Saturday 19th May, when Tony Browell’s astonishing achievement of 500 appearances for the Main is marked by a benefit game against a team of former Main players. Please come along and support one of the club’s greatest ever servants. Afterwards, there will be snacks and a few beers in The Victoria on Tynemouth Road.

Another date for the diary is the end of season awards presentation and race night, which is being held in the (formerly Old) Hundred on Saturday 9th June, which is the 150th anniversary of the Blaydon Races, fittingly enough. You can find out more about all events and keep in touch with club developments by checking our website www.percymainafc.co.uk

The website also gives details of the big fund raising innovation for 2012 is the NEW Percy Main Bingo Lottery, which is being overseen by Geoff. It’s very easy to get involved; just pick 6 numbers between 1 and 49, then choose how many weeks you wish to participate, cost of £1 per week for each set of 6 numbers, then see Geoff to pay your stake and get a lottery ticket in return, or email him at geoff@cinix.co.uk
Enjoy the game!!

Around The Grounds:

Well, the Alliance Premier Division title race is still wide open, with 5 potential winners all vying for prominence.  At the time of writing, Whitley Bay A are top, following their 4-2 home win over 10^th placed Blyth Town. A point behind with a game in hand, are Heaton Stann, who won 5-1 at second bottom Ponteland, which made us mathematically safe from relegation. Carlisle City, without a game last Saturday, lie third, three points behind, while a point behind them, with 2 games in hand on the leaders, are Hebburn Reyrolle, 3-0 winners over a Murton side condemned to finish bottom. In fifth are today’s visitors Harraby, 8 points adrift with 2 games in hand, after a 1-1 draw at 7^th placed Ashington Colliers. With Shankhouse, Killingworth and Seaton Delaval, in places 6, 8 and 9, also not kicking a ball, the focus of the other game was on relegation. Third bottom Walker Central were fixture free, while 12^th place Rutherford now only need a point to be safe after winning 3-1 at a Stocksfield side they leapfrogged with that result.

In Division 1, the only game played saw Heddon in 4^th beat Minor Cup finalists Chemfica in 9^th, 3-2. Below them Forest Hall in last place look doomed, but Morpeth Sporting Club still have a chance to escape. Amble United, needing a win to claim the title, and Wallsend Town have sown up the top 2 spots from gallant 3^rd placed Bohemians. In the Subsidiary Cup, either Gosforth Bohs or Newcastle University will win Group B and Amble will win Group A if the other Minor Cup finalists Wallington drop a point. Cramlington Town’s season ended with a 7^th place finish 3 weeks ago!

Division 2 may see up to 5 sides promoted to fill up the vacancies in Division 1, as there are reputedly up to 11 clubs interested in entering the Alliance’s bottom tier. Red House Farm still aren’t champions, after losing 5-3 at home to 8^th top Whickham Lang Jacks. Hexham, in second, are chasing hard after beating 10^th placed North Shields Athletic 2-0. Northbank went third after a 5-0 clouting of last placed Cramlington United; after that game, their goal difference is 2 better than Harton & Westoe, who won 3-1 against Willington Quay Saints, who stay 13^th. Wallsend Boys Club in 5^th were inactive, using goal difference to stay above Bedlington Terriers Reserves who lost by a single goal at home to 7^th placed New Fordley. The other games saw 11^th placed Alston lose 4-2 at home to Wideopen, who are 9^th and second bottom Swalwell lose 4-1 at home to third bottom Seaton Burn.

In the Northern League, Team Northumbria gained promotion to Division 1 by beating Seaham Red Star 2-0; they were playing Newcastle Reserves in the sSenior Cup Final at St. James’ Park this week; good luck to them.  North Shields, now managed by Graham Fenton, and West Allotment Celtic are 7^th and 8^th respectively after 2-2 draws away to Northallerton and home to Crook Town. In the top division, Whitley Bay seem likely to finish 6^th, after winning 2-0 away to Billingham Town, while Benfield stay in 12^th after they drew 1-1 at South Shields, whose goal was scored by our very own Tony Burnell.

Elsewhere, Gateshead, whose manager Ian Bogie is the uncle of Tijan and Aaron Kah I learned last week, are still in with an outside shout of a play-off spot after beating Forest Green Rovers 1-0. Sadly Blyth Spartans, 1-0 losers at home to Hyde United, have been relegated for the first time in the club’s history. Here’s hoping they can turn it around next year.