Not a good day for football yesterday, some of us had to dash off to St James at the final whistle to watch Newcastle's (who looked like a Northern Alliance team themselves) half hearted attempt to beat Blackburn. I think they would've lost to Newcastle University as well and Joselu wouldn't have got into our side, never mind theirs.....

It would be good to say that Newcastle University's goals were all clearly flukes, wind assisted, undeserved, offside, shouldn't have been allowed and against the run of play, but they certainly weren't and I'd dare say, (even at this relatively early stage) that whoever finishes above them at the end of the season will be deserved champions, they are a very good side, there's no doubt about it.

Putting things into out perspective though, Percy Main did not have a recognised forward in our starting X1, (we didn't want Joselu) while the Uni had the luxury of leaving 26 goal Niza Chilufa on the bench until deep into the second half, when he promptly came on and scored a couple of goals to round the scoring off.

Lee Scott had given Newcastle University a 7th minute lead, before Conrad Zylko scored the goal of the game 5 minutes later with a spectacular volley from the edge of the angle only 5 minutes later.

The Main's cause was not helped by the dismissal of Jack Armstrong soon after for apparent 'deliberate handball' in the area, a bit harsh perhaps as Jack appeared to have been pushed towards the ball, not the game you want to be playing a man short, while to rub salt in, Olly Walden made no mistake from the spot.

The visiting custodian Iain McLeod wasn't idle though and he had to be on his mettle to tip behind efforts from Naithan Lowdon on his debut and Robert Hamilton (who is apparently surprisingly having a go at this 'dry January' carry on) and David Short fired over. However, Walden took advantage of a swift break from defence to score his second of the afternoon and completed his hat trick and his side's 5th on 38 minutes.

Ian Dunn appeared in a Percy shirt for the first time since the 2003-4 season and worked hard in difficult circumstances, but his efforts as the home side tried to rally at the beginning of the second half, were to count for nothing as further goals for the Uni by Josh Ferguson on 56 minutes and Lee Scott on the hour, put the visitors further in control.

The game got a bit scrappy towards the end with raised voices, profanities and tempers being raised in the descending winter gloom and Percy were left to reflect on our heaviest defeat since Blyth Town knocked in 10 at our place on their way to winning the league title a couple of seasons ago.....

Cup action next week as we travel to Burradon FC in the Bill Gardner cup 2nd round.