FC Isle of Man grind out win over Charnock Richard

Ravens claim three points in battling performance

FC Isle of Man returned to winning ways this evening (19 September) as they ground out a narrow 2-1 win over Charnock Richard in the NWCFL Premier Division.

In a feisty first half, the Manx side led on 21 minutes when Charlie Higgins slotted home following a devastating counter-attack.

Just under three minutes into the second period, FC Isle of Man extended their lead through an Alex Maitland header before Simon Grand struck back for the visitors on 57 minutes from close range.

A 'Man Of The Match' performance from FC Isle of Man goalkeeper, Tom Crosbie and several big missed chances for Charnock Richard in the remainder of the second period saw the Islanders hold out to claim three points on home soil.

Hoping to bounce back from a comprehensive defeat on the road last time out, FC Isle of Man welcomed a Charnock Richard side which had lost just once in its last six in all competitions.

After a cagey opening, the deadlock was broken on 21 minutes as a swift FC Isle of Man counter-attack saw Dean Pinnington race through on the left edge of the Charnock Richard penalty area before squaring to Higgins who slid the ball into an empty net.

That goal came just moments after the visitors thought they'd been denied a penalty when a Spencer Bibby half-volley was blocked on the line of the opposite goalmouth by FC Isle of Man's Will Cowin.

After the break, FC Isle of Man quickly set about extending their advantage and did so less than three minutes after the restart when a Kyle Watson free-kick from the left was met by Maitland six yards out who powered a header past Charnock Richard goalkeeper, Ryan Hamer to double 'The Ravens'' lead.

This seemed to be the catalyst for Charnock Richard to find a new sense of urgency and they got on the scoresheet on 57 minutes when a Marcus Haydock cross from the right wasn't dealt with by the FC Isle of Man defence with the loose ball falling to Grand six yards out who slammed a strike home from close range.

From this point, the momentum shifted with Charnock Richard unleashing attack after attack on the FC Isle of Man defence.

Two one-on-one saves in the space of two minutes from Crosbie of FC Isle of Man kept Bibby from levelling the contest before Grand sent a header from another Haydock cross from the right crashing off the crossbar with just under 30 minutes to go.

The assault on the FC Isle of Man backline kept coming from the visitors but they were unable to make anything stick as Matthew Westwell and Nathan Nickeas also sent respective strikes just wide with little over 20 minutes left as the FC Isle of Man defence held on.

With time ebbing away for Charnock Richard and the contest becoming scrappy, FC Isle of Man nearly put the game beyond doubt on 87 minutes when substitute, James Lowther was sent through on goal, only to be denied by a smart stop from Hamer to keep Charnock Richard in the contest.

Despite four minutes of additional time at the end of the second period, the equaliser still would not materialise for Charnock Richard as FC Isle of Man held out to come away with the victory and maintain their unbeaten home record in the early stages of the campaign.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be at home against Widnes Town in the first round of the Macron Cup on Saturday, 26 September, kicking-off at The Bowl in Douglas at 6pm.

Man of the Match: Tom Crosbie (FC Isle of Man)