Higgins stars as FC Isle of Man overcome Skelmersdale United

Ravens make it back-to-back wins for first time since October

FC Isle of Man made it back-to-back wins for the first time since October as they ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners over Skelmersdale United in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (3 February).

All three Ravens goals came in the second half, the first a Jack McVey penalty three minutes into the second period.

Charlie Higgins then doubled the Manx side's advantage on 63 minutes before becoming provider for Sean Doyle who netted a third four minutes later.

The victory- which moves FC Isle of Man up two places to 11th in the standings - also marks the first time they've recorded consecutive clean sheets so far this season.

Having secured their first win of 2024 last weekend, the Island hosts were out to continue that winning mentality as they welcomed a Skelmersdale United side being led by ex-Premier League star and current player/manager, Pascal Chimbonda.

A cagey first half saw both sides seemingly hesitant to take too many risks with many of the battles coming in the middle of the park to retain possession.

It would take until the 37th minute for the first big opening as Sean Doyle's low cross from the left deflected across the Skelmersdale six-yard box to Higgins who saw his resulting powerful shot blocked on the line.

The visitors carved out their biggest opportunity of the first 45 with one minute of normal time left as Abdullahi Ahmed found space after a neat one-two with Yasir Salim before dragging a left-footed effort just wide of FC Isle of Man goalkeeper, Ben Wilkinson's left post.

After a goalless and largely uneventful first period, as has been the case in recent home matches FC Isle of Man flew out the blocks from the restart and were awarded a penalty less than three minutes in when Michael Williams was fouled by Dana Amaral in the Skelmersdale United box.

McVey stepped up from 12 yards and calmly slotted his strike into Skelmersdale 'keeper, Joe Langford's bottom right corner to open the scoring.

As the home side continued to assert control, they doubled their advantage on 63 minutes as a floated Frank Jones cross from the right flank sailed to the far post with Higgins under it from point-blank range to nod low into the net for 2-0.

As Skelmersdale United struggled to cope with the increasing pressure, FC Isle of Man struck again four minutes after as Higgins on the left edge of the visitors' area on the counter-attack fired a low ball across the six-yard area for Doyle to tap in from close range.

With an evermore challenging task to salvage something, Skelmersdale United's job got tougher with six minutes left as Chimbonda was sin-binned for dissent, leaving the visitors down to ten men for the remainder of the game.

The Ravens nearly added the icing on the cake in the 90th minute as Williams brought down a poor clearance from Skelmersdale United 20 yards out, only to see his half-volley clatter off the crossbar.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against Prestwich Heys on Saturday, 10 February, kicking-off at 2pm.

Man of the Match: Charlie Higgins (FC Isle of Man)