PERCY MAIN 0 GATESHEAD RUTHERFORD 3

A weak Percy Main side, due to Saturday morning dropouts, lost at home to Gateshead Rutherford in a bizarre game which saw the hosts down to 9 men for the last 25 minutes, following a few injuries to Joe Fulcher, Kai Charlton and Dylan Rutherford, with Kevin Osayi, the one Main substitute already on the pitch. 

The visitors scored after 7 minutes when a whipped ball fell to Nicki Gibson and the Rutherford striker slotted it low past the dive of Ridley. 

At the other end, Mark McDonnell supplied by Rob Ridley, fired across the face of goal and Walker’s deep cross from the right was tipped behind by Rutherford keeper Joe Furniss. 

Rutherford’s Kris Hewitt was thwarted by the combined attentions of Fulcher and the home keeper and at the other end, a great ball by McDonnell was crucially cut out by a Rutherford defender as Jordan Stephenson bore down on goal.  

Into the second half there were chances for either side with long range efforts from Rutherford’s Andrew Burdon which was inches wide of the upright, while Walker’s clever free kick for The Main, fell to McDonnell whose shot skimmed the top of the visitor’s crossbar. 

On the hour mark Mirzakhanion found himself one-on-one and saw his shot brilliantly saved by Matty Ridley at the result of a corner kick, but Rutherford redeemed themselves a minute later as another save by Ridley, fell to Brandon Lawther who tapped home the rebound. 

Following the numerous injuries to the Main, Rutherford’s Mirzakhanion fired an effort just wide, then Ridley denied both Lawther and former Main man, Aaron Kah, while Ant Ridley restored to the field, cleared from the line.  

But Percy Main who had battled bravely found themselves a chance with Jordan Stephenson but his effort fired over. Rutherford wrapped things up in the 86th minute as Lawther found Brady Westin who fired home the goal that sealed the game.