PATIENCE is the key word at Percy Main. The club know that it is going to take new boss Shaun Galbraith time to assemble his own side at Purvis Park – and they aren’t going to hit the panic button after two defeats.

The Villagers created plenty of chances but were undone by two deadball goals in the only Premier Division fixture to beat the icy conditions.

Ryan Laws saw an early shot cannon back off the crossbar but it was Walker Central’s James Mottram who celebrated the opener at the other end when he netted direct from a corner.

Mottram had a hand in the second after the break as he was brought down in the box and James Walker picked his spot to slot home from the penalty spot.

Ray Oshin went closest for the Main but his fierce back post drive from Chris Doig’s low centre flashed just past the upright.

The three points moved Walker up into a comfortable midtable spot.

Bedlington Terriers Reserves bounced back from a wobble that has seen them crash out of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup and Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup in recent weeks to reclaim top spot in Division One.

Kane Chirnside found the back of the net for hosts Willington Quay Saints but goals from Craig Stafford and Mark Race ensured that the Terriers took maximum points.

When Damien Stevens showed a real poachers instinct to latch onto a spilled shot and crash in the opener for Birtley Saint Joseph’s in Division Two, in was vindication of the hard work that the club had put in to clear the pitch.

Visitors Alston were ensured of a long journey home when Tony Smith let fly from 20 yards into the roof of the net for the second.

Newcastle Uni and Wideopen advanced in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup.

JON TAIT