FC Isle of Man slip to defeat at Cheadle Town

Doyle double not enough as Ravens undone in Stockport

FC Isle of Man have suffered their first defeat in nearly a month as they slipped to a 3-2 loss at the hands of Cheadle Town in the NWCFL Premier Division this afternoon (16 March).

Cheadle Town twice led in the first half through Kyle McGonigle and Wealth Dasilva only to be pegged back both times by two quick-fire response finishes from FC Isle of Man's Sean Doyle.

In a much quieter second period, Dasilva was able to find a third with a brilliant solo finish for the hosts with 16 minutes left.

Despite FC Isle of Man goalkeeper Adam Killey saving a Jordan Lazenbury penalty in second-half stoppage time, the visitors were unable to respond in the dying stages to leave Park Road Stadium empty-handed.

After a cagey opening few minutes it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on 14 minutes as a Jordan Lazenbury free-kick on the edge of the FC Isle of Man penalty area found the head of McGonigle who diverted his effort past Killey.

But Cheadle's advantage was short-lived as FC Isle of Man provided an immediate response from the restart as a slick attacking move ended with the ball finding the feet of Doyle who calmly netted at the back post from close range to secure his 16th goal of the campaign so far.

The visitors did have the ball in the back of the Cheadle Town net again on 28 minutes, however Frank Jones' chipped finish over Jordan Latham was quickly ruled out for offside.

Shortly after, the hosts fired a warning shot of their own as McGonigle - already on the scoresheet - flashed an effort just wide from an uncleared corner.

With 32 minutes on the clock, Cheadle Town then restored their lead as a quick break from an FC Isle of Man free-kick resulted in Jack Grady finding Dasilva on the edge of the box who proceeded to fire low past Killey.

Yet again though, the Manx side would hit back almost immediately two minutes later with Doyle grabbing his and his team's second of the contest, bundling home from close quarters after yet another incisive breakaway.

Three minutes into the second period, FC Isle of Man worked the Cheadle Town goalkeeper again as Jacob Crook picked up the ball in midfield before setting off on a driving run forward and seeing his resulting shot on target parried clear by Latham.

Despite that early opportunity, both sides largely struggled leading up to the hour mark and into the closing stages to assert control and create a consistent amount of clear-cut openings.

That then changed in the 74th minute as Cheadle Town's Tom Murray's cross behind the Ravens defence found Dasilva who, after some sharp footwork, earned some space in the box before slotting past Killey to give the home side the lead for the third time in the contest.

As the Manx side pushed for a late response, Dasilva again caused problems as he was brought down in the FC Isle of Man penalty area with the referee pointing to the spot.

Lazenbury stepped up from 12 yards only to see his strike denied by Killey, however this wouldn't be the catalyst for a Ravens fightback as Cheadle Town held on to claim maximum points.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against Irlam on Wednesday, 20 March, kicking-off at 7.45pm.