The Main Men - Part 2

By: Chris Smith
Date: 20/08/2010 (Last updated: 12/09/2010)

THE only minus point at the break was no pie and peas although the welfare club itself serves alcohol aplenty and there is a large tea bar with Sky Sports.

The second half started quietly in comparison to a frenetic first half. I n fact it was ten minutes before anything of note happened when Main should have added a fourth with one shot going wide before another was blasted over. However, Whatton were awarded a penalty some minutes later which they duly converted. This spurred on Main who retaliated by testing the keeper who turned the ball around for a corner. Or was it? The referee awarded it but the linesman next to me flagged and I overheard the conversation. The referee then apologised to the linesman for not noticing his earlier offside flag and changed his decision to the ire of one Main player in particular.

Shortly after, the Whatton keeper made a good save from a volley but was beaten two minutes later after a corner wasn't cleared and Daniel Sharpe forced it home after a scramble.

The Whatton keeper kept a few more chances out as Main applied pressure before the away side broke and a header beat the Main keeper and the subsequent chance was cleared off the line with some good defending.

However, Main weren't to be denied another and yet another goalmouth scramble saw the ball forced home for a fifth.

I had become aware of an excitable spectator in a Celtic away shirt behind the goal who was somewhat critical of the decision to award one of the scrambled goals saying it hadn't crossed the line. It clearly had to me (which means it probably hadn't!) from my view, stood level with the line and when he asked me what I thought I gave him my opinion. His mate agreed with me. What was surprising was that he was actually a volunteer with Main and thought the officials had given two big decisions against the away side and one against his own. I spoke to him afterwards as they took down the nets and picked up the flags. I’ll certainly pay another visit here. It’s a friendly club and the football was entertaining.

To be fair to the officials, I don't think they got much wrong and it is always good to see them praising good play and encouraging the players.

Full time Main 5 Whatton 1

A good start therefore for Main and I hope they have a good season. They obviously want to progress and they are a community based club running football, cricket, bowling and fishing teams which is a major asset in this area.

Town won to round off a good afternoon and away games with the Mariners mean this will be my last non league trip for a while as a neutral.

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