FC Isle of Man beaten in Holden's first game in charge

Ravens surrender lead in defeat to Barnoldswick Town

FC Isle of Man fell to a 2-1 defeat to Barnoldswick Town in caretaker manager, Rick Holden's first game in charge of the Island side in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (4 October).

Things got off to a good start for the hosts when Ste Whitley struck home after a long, solo run on 27 minutes.

But Barnoldswick town levelled nearly 20 minutes into the second period when Tyler Beck headed home from close-range from a corner.

On 70 minutes the visitors then got a decisive second when Gareth Hill nodded home a deflected cross from around six yards out.

Tonight's encounter at The Bowl in Douglas marked the start of a new era for FC Isle of Man with Holden in the dugout for the first time following Paul Jones' departure from the club last week.

After a frantic opening without much in terms of chances for either side, FC Isle of Man broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark.

From a Barnoldswick Town corner, 'The Ravens' broke forward on the counter-attack with Whitley charging with the ball from the halfway line before cutting in from the right from a tight angle around ten yards out before placing a low effort into the net at the near post.

In response, Barnoldswick Town seemed to find another gear and came close to levelling just five minutes later when a Samual Unwin cross from the right found Ethan Gough who headed just wide from around six yards out.

Having seized the momentum late in the first half, Barnoldswick Town continued to apply the pressure in the second period and got their reward on 64 minutes.

A corner from the left swung all the way to the far post to an unmarked Beck who rose to nod home from close range to level the contest.

Sensing an opportunity still, 'Barlick' got themselves ahead for the first time just six minutes later.

Substitute, Luke Stowe danced past several tackles before his cross from the left flank took a deflection into Hill who - leaning back from goal - managed to angle a header on target which bobbled past FC Isle of Man goalkeeper, Ben Wilkinson into the bottom corner

Despite a late push to equalise, FC Isle of Man's clearest chance to do so came with ten minutes to go after substitutes Michael Williams and Ben Wosser combined on the edge of the box before Wosser let loose a low strike on goal which was comfortably stopped by Barnoldswick Town stopper, Dale Latham.

Defeat condemns the Island side to a third straight game without victory whilst Barnoldswick Town maintain their undefeated record on Manx shores and stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against South Liverpool on Wednesday, 8 October, kicking-off at 7.45pm.

Man of the Match: James Ormrod (Barnoldswick Town)