Last-gasp Padiham strike sinks Ravens

FC IoM’s Luke Murray also has late goal ruled out in fiery contest

A dramatic 93rd-minute winner saw FC Isle of Man on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat to Padiham in a fiery NWCFL Premier Division match at The Bowl this evening (8 October).

The Ravens went into tonight’s contest on the back of a big comeback win in midweek, whilst Padiham were hoping to bounce back from two straight defeats in their last two outings.

In an intense and end-to-end first half, FC Isle of Man had the first clear cut chance when Ciaran McNulty saw his low effort from six yards cleared off the line by Padiham after a well worked free kick.

After the Ravens enjoyed some brief control in the opening 25 minutes, Padiham started to find their feet and nearly took the lead in the 34th minute.

Padiham’s Jack Price produced a surging run down the right wing before cutting infield past three FC IoM players and into the box, but his low effort was beaten away by Ravens ‘keeper, James Rice.

As ‘The Storks’ pushed harder, FC IOM looked to counter and were appealing for a penalty on 41 minutes when Ste Whitley claimed to have been pulled down by Padiham defender, Jack Gooden, in the visiting penalty area, but the pleas were waved away by referee, Dan Parkes.

After a 0-0 scoreline come half time, an entertaining second period followed with neither side able to find the killer touch to convert in the final third.

With seven minutes to go, Padiham came within inches of taking the lead - substitute Charlie Disney-Ridge cut in from the left flank to fire a low effort toward the near post, only to see his effort cannon off the inside of the woodwork.

The drama then reached new levels in the 85th minute when FC IoM’s Luke Murray fired a low half-volley from 20 yards out which took a huge deflection to take it past Padiham goalkeeper, Benjamin Hoskin, and into the net.

However, the home side’s brief celebrations were cut short as the goal was then ruled out as Ravens substitute, Tom Creer, was adjudged to have been offside when Murray's shot deflected off him.

To some in the stadium, that may have seemed like the final big chance, however there was to be a final, stunning twist in the tale in the third and final minute of second half stoppage time.

FC Isle of Man failed to clear from a throw-in deep in their own half and the ball eventually fell to Padiham’s Joel Melia, who cut in from the lift wing and from the edge of the penalty area arrowed a low right-footed strike into the bottom corner at the near post past a rooted James Rice, sparking wild celebrations from the visiting dugout and supporters.

The 1-0 loss means FC Isle of Man remain 17th in the table with 13 points.

Their next game will be away against West Didsbury & Chorlton on Tuesday, 11 October, kicking-off at 7.45pm.

Man of the Match: Jacob Crook (FC Isle of Man)