FC Isle of Man claim comeback win to secure league safety

Ravens beat City of Liverpool who are relegated after defeat

A second-half comeback from FC Isle of Man saw them defeat City of Liverpool 3-1 in the NWCFL Premier Division tonight (28 March).

The visitors stunned The Bowl inside three minutes when Alex Priestley poked home from close range.

Charlie Higgins equalised for 'The Ravens' five minutes into the second half before capitalising on a defensive mix-up to give the home side the lead on 85 minutes.

Dean Pinnington then slotted home in the 90th minute to seal victory for FC Isle of Man in a result that guaranteed their safety in the division for next season whilst also confirming City of Liverpool's relegation.

Winless in four, FC Isle of Man started tonight's encounter knowing they would retain their place in the league if they avoided defeat against a City of Liverpool side needing at least a draw to stay in the fight for survival.

It was the Merseysiders who made a bright start and took the lead in the third minute when a deflected pass into the FC Isle of Man penalty found Priestley who rounded FC Isle of Man goalkeeper, Mark Blair and placed the ball into an empty net to open the scoring.

On 12 minutes, City of Liverpool missed a guilt-edged chance to double their advantage when Priestley broke through on the counter-attack, only to send his effort on goal from 18 yards straight at Blair.

Much of the remainder of the first half saw a spirited City of Liverpool display frustrate the Islanders.

FC Isle of Man's clearest opening of the first 45 came on 31 minutes when a Higgins through-ball found Kyle Watson in the City of Liverpool box who - one-on-one with goalkeeper, Ethan Cross - smashed a strike against the crossbar.

Needing some fresh impetus after the restart, FC Isle of Man started the second half on the front foot and were rewarded with five minutes of the second period played.

A Pinnington free-kick from the left flank was whipped into the box with Higgins on the end of it around 12 yards out to fire a volley past Cross and into the bottom corner.

As the game began to open up in the closing stages, the Manx side took the lead for the first time in the contest with five minutes of normal time remaining.

A long ball over the City of Liverpool defence saw defender, Bradley Elms try to nod a header back to his goalkeeper with Higgins snatching the loose ball and poking low past Cross to make it 2-1.

With the visitors tiring, FC Isle of Man then made sure of victory in the final minute of normal time when a quick free-kick from just inside their half found Higgins unmarked on the left who fed a low ball into the penalty area to Pinnington who calmly knocked the ball past his marker before placing a low effort across Cross and into the back of the net.

Only a minute later, Higgins spurned a priceless chance to grab his hat-trick when he was fed through on goal by Pinnington on the break before blazing an effort over the crossbar from close-range.

The full-time whistle brought to an end 'The Ravens'' winless streak whilst mathematically securing Rick Holden's side a place in the division for another campaign.

Meanwhile, defeat for City of Liverpool confirmed their relegation from step five of the non-league pyramid with four games to play.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against Chadderton on Tuesday, 31 March, kicking-off at the Emplas Commercial North Stadium at 7.45pm.