Whitley and Creer strike late to stun Barnoldswick Town

Ravens hit last-gasp double to take three points in Lancashire

Late goals from Ste Whitley and Tom Creer saw FC Isle of Man stun Barnoldswick Town late on with a 3-1 victory in the NWCFL Premier Division this afternoon (28 September).

'The Ravens' led after just eight minutes as Jack McVey slotted home from close-range before the hosts levelled just six minutes after through a Gareth Hill header.

Both sides would remain level until the 87th minute as Whitley headed home to give FC Isle of Man a late lead before substitute Creer added a composed third moments after to secure maximum points.

It was the finale to a dramatic final ten minutes in which Barnoldswick Town manager Steve Pickup also received a straight red card.

With just eight minutes gone, FC Isle of Man made the ideal start as the in-form Whitley picked out McVey at the far post for a close-range finish to open the scoring.

But just six minutes later the hosts responded as Jenson Butterworth found Hill with a pin-point delivery for the striker to head on goal and convert the equaliser.

Having pulled level 'Barlick' upped the pressure coming close with a number of first-half chances including seeing a Butterworth strike cleared off the goal line by FC Isle of Man's Jacob Crook.

Following the break, the opening 25 minutes of the second half saw Barnoldswick Town immediate reapply the pressure onto the FC Isle of Man defence but without doing too much to threaten Adam Killey in the FC Isle of Man goalmouth.

'The Ravens' only half-opportunity at the other end during this time on 66 minutes saw a McVey effort towards the near post comfortable gathered by Barnoldswick Town stopper Gregor Zabret.

But drama unfolded in the final ten minutes as Barnoldswick Town manager Steve Pickup received a straight red card with nine minutes of normal time remaining.

The Manx side then stunned their hosts with 87 played as a cross from substitute Charlie Higgins fell to Whitley who duly dispatched a header to give the Island outfit the lead for a second time late on at the Silentnight Stadium.

And only three minutes or so later the icing on the cake came for Paul Jones' side as Creer - who'd made his presence known since coming off the bench - was fed through on goal by Higgins before dinking his effort over Zebret and into the net.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be at home against Ramsbottom United on Saturday, 5 October, kicking-off at 6pm.