FC Isle of Man collapse at Squires Gate

Ravens blow two-goal lead to lose in Blackpool

FC Isle of Man suffered a dramatic second-half collapse as they blew a two-goal lead to endure a 3-2 defeat at Squires Gate in the NWCFL Premier Division this afternoon (16 September).

The Manx side had taken a commanding position going into half-time courtesy of a Jack McVey penalty and Joe Walters strike.

However, Squires Gate hit back less than a minute into the second period through James Hughes before two goals in three minutes from Nathan Cliffe and Alfie Carmichael completed a sensation comeback for the Blackpool-based outfit.

The Ravens would go on to finish the contest with ten men as Furo Davies was sent off in second-half stoppage time to add insult to injury.

Both sides entered today's clash at The Brian Addison Stadium hoping to rediscover a spark after recent spells of stuttering performances.

FC Isle of Man arrived in Blackpool without a win in their previous four matches whilst Squires Gate sat second-from-bottom of the table having registered just one win from their first twelve league matches.

A frantic opening 15 minutes for both sides was then blown open as Sean Doyle was felled in the Squires Gate penalty area by the home side's goalkeeper.

Up stepped Jack McVey from the penalty spot who coolly slotted home to give the Ravens the opener.

Another busy and cagey period of play followed with both sides battling for supremacy but in the 29th minute it was FC Isle of Man who had the telling touch when Dean Pinnington combined with Joe Walters with the latter finishing calmly to give the visitors a 2-0 lead going into half-time.

Into the second period, and the hosts made a blistering start as James Hughes netted for Squires Gate in the opening 60 seconds after the restart.

This set the tone for Squires Gate to press harder with encouragement and their comeback was then completed as a goalmouth scramble in the 63rd minute fell to the feet of striker, Nathan Cliffe who tapped from close range to level the contest.

Reeling from this setback, FC Isle of Man were then punished again just two minutes later as Alfie Carmichael got on the scoresheet to give the home side the lead for the first time in the match, with his deflected shot sailing beyond Ravens stopper, Ben Wilkinson.

Now trailing, the Island side pushed frantically for an equaliser, going close in the final ten minutes through Furo Davies and Frank Jones.

Things then got worse for the visitors in the third minute of stoppage time as Davies was sent off with the Ravens ending the contest with ten men as well as the defeat.

FC Isle of Man's next fixture in the NWCFL Premier Division will be away against Irlam on Tuesday, 19 September, kicking-off at 7.45pm.