WALLINGTON secured fourth place in Northern Alliance Premier Division for the second successive season.

The Greens defeated AFC New Fordley 3-0 at Oakford Park in their final game of the season, thanks to Kyle Reardon’s opener, and a brace from top scorer John Paxton.

Wallington played well in the first half, despite poor weather conditions.

They took the lead when Reardon, deployed at left wing back, ran onto a lofted pass from Kris Willis.

He cut inside and fired the ball in at the near post to score his eighth goal of the season.

Ten minutes later, Reardon won a chase to the byline, and cut the ball back for the advancing Paxton to double Wallington’s advantage.

Five minutes before half time, Paxton scored his second of the game, and his 15th of the season.

Josh Laverick carried the ball from halfway, beating three opposing defenders, before taking a shot which was parried by the New Fordley keeper. Paxton was on hand to tap in the rebound to make it 3-0.

The Greens were playing into a slight breeze in the second half, and things became even more difficult for this hosts on the hour mark, when Adam Barker was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card. Wallington stuck to their task diligently, however, and

while New Fordley hit the crossbar from a header, solid defending ensured Greens’ keeper Aaron Carr was reasonably well protected.

The hosts introduced substitutes Josh Willis, Josh Gilmartin, and Simon Broatch, while assistant manager Trevor Baston came on for the final 10 minutes.

Reardon said: “After a poor start, we’ve had a great run this season. Despite a recent wobble, it was great to get back to winning ways with a good performance.

“Gateshead Rutherford drew 2-2 with FC United of Newcastle, which meant we finished fourth. It equalled where we finished last season, and I think we have deserved it.”