Doyle and Higgins help FC Isle of Man past Ramsbottom United

Clinical Ravens first-half display enough for victory

A clinical first-half display helped FC Isle of Man grind out a 2-1 victory against Ramsbottom United in the NWCFL Premier Division tonight (23 March).

A point-blank finish from Sean Doyle and a rasping Charlie Higgins half-volley saw the hosts take a two-goal lead in the first 45 minutes.

Ramsbottom United halved the deficit through Oscar Radcliffe's close-range strike on 63 minutes but spurned several chances to level the contest.

By taking maximum points, FC Isle of Man climb three places to 11th in the league standings.

Under the floodlights at The Bowl, FC Isle of Man were hoping to put the disappointment of defeat last weekend behind them whilst Ramsbottom United came to the Island hunting their first league win since 3 February.

After an uneventful opening period, the home side found the first moment of quality in front of goal to open the scoring on 19 minutes.

A sweeping move from left to right culminated in Danny Gerrard clipping a cross from the right into an unmarked Doyle at the far post to tap home a low effort from close range.

With a new lease of life, the Ravens then doubled their advantage seven minutes later.

A deflected clearance on the right flank fell to Higgins who cut inside on his left foot from 20 yards before unleashing an arrowing half-volley which soared past Ramsbottom United goalkeeper, Christopher Thompson into the 'keeper's top right corner.

Meanwhile, the visitors had their clearest first-half opening on 36 minutes as a Kuda Chingwaro cross over the FC Isle of Man defence found Oumar Camara who, through on goal, placed his shot under Ravens' stopper, Adam Killey, only to see FC Isle of Man defender Phil Kelly produce a sliding clearance off the goal line.

Leading 2-0 at the break, FC Isle of Man had Kelly to thank again eight minutes into the second half as he was again on hand to clear off the line after Ramsbottom United's Henri Ogunby had rounded Killey and squeezed a shot on target from a tight angle.

The visitors then made a breakthrough in the 63rd minute as a Chingwaro free-kick from the left was headed back across goal for Ramsbottom United captain Radcliffe to slot into an empty net for 2-1.

Four minutes after this, a poor clearance from Thompson fell to FC Isle of Man substitute Tiernan Garvey who, spotting the goalkeeper in no mans land, struck at goal from the halfway line to see his effort only just fly past Thompson's left post.

With two minutes of normal time to play, another long ball over the FC Isle of Man defence caused problems and settled at the feet of Ramsbottom United sub, Matthew Birchall, who strode into the area before seeing his low effort on target pushed away by an outrushing Killey in what would prove to be the travelling side's last clear-cut chance of the game.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against Colne on Wednesday, 27 March, kicking-off at 7.45pm.

Man of the Match: Phil Kelly (FC Isle of Man)