Ravens grind out first win of 2024
FC Isle of Man have recorded their first win of 2024 after grinding out a resilient 1-0 win over Irlam in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (27 January).
A fast-paced but goalless first half saw FC Isle of Man's Dean Pinnington strike the post from a tight angle and Irlam denied by a goal-line clearance from a corner.
Sean Doyle grabbed the first and only goal of the contest just under 90 seconds into the second half, poking home from Charlie Higgins' low cross.
A fine save from Ravens' goalkeeper, Ben Wilkinson in the 95th minute from Irlam's Jack Mitchell saw the hosts deny the visitors a last-gasp equaliser and secure all three points for the first time in nearly a month.
On a clear night under the floodlights at The Bowl, FC Isle of Man took to the field hoping to build on their last-minute draw on home soil against Kendal Town seven days previous.
They took on an Irlam side who were also looking to kick on after managing just one win in their last six league outings.
From the first whistle, the contest started at a lightning-fast tempo, but despite the intensity neither side were able to carve out any clear-cut chances in the first 25 minutes.
The first opening came on 27 minutes when an Irlam corner from the left resulted in a wild goalmouth scramble with FC Isle of Man's Michael Williams called into making a last-gasp clearance off the goal line.
Less than two minutes later, the home side had their biggest first-half chance when Pinnington latched onto a long ball from Wilkinson over the Irlam defence before rounding Irlam goalkeeper, Lee White and from a tight angle striking a low shot onto the outside of the post.
Goalless at the halfway stage, FC Isle of Man flew out the traps from the restart and took a vital lead less than two minutes into the second half.
Seconds after Pinnington saw a header cannon off the post, FC Isle of Man worked the ball to the left of the Irlam box to Higgins who fired a low ball back across the six-yard area to an unmarked Doyle who tapped in from point-blank distance to open the scoring.
Following the setback, Irlam responded positively forcing the Ravens further back as they took control of possession, but the Manchester-based side again found it difficult to produce true quality in the final third.
In another half of few chances either way, FC Isle of Man nearly put the game beyond doubt on 82 minutes as Pinnington made a charging run into the Irlam area only to see his low strike from the right saved by the feet of White at the near post.
As the Manx side soaked up more pressure in the closing stages, Irlam's biggest chance of the second period came with almost the last kick of the game in the fifth minute of additional time.
After some neat passing down the left, a precise through ball into the box found Irlam substitute Mitchell in on goal, but his near-post drive was denied by the strong right hand of Wilkinson, a save which would ultimately lead to FC Isle of Man hanging on to claim maximum points at the final whistle moments later.
FC Isle of Man's next match will be at home against Skelmersdale United on Saturday, 3 February, kicking-off at 6pm.
Man of the Match: Charlie Higgins (FC Isle of Man)
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