Mealin magic secures top play-off spot for FC IoM

Ravens secure second in table with comeback victory

A second-half double from Adam Mealin secured FC Isle of Man a home tie in next week’s NWCFL Div 1 South play-off semi-finals in a 2-1 win over Abbey Hulton United this afternoon (2 April).

The Ravens went into their final regular league game of the season at The Bowl knowing a win would guarantee them a second-place finish in the league, whilst the visitors were hoping to end a run of one win in their last six games.

The Manx side started brightly with Sam Baines drilled strike from the left edge of the penalty area with three minutes gone going’s just over Abbey Hulton ‘keeper, Dominic Kurasik’s top right corner.

Just four minutes later FC IOM nearly took the lead in astonishing style when Furo Davies attempted to lob Kurasik from the halfway line with the visiting stopper a long way off his line, but with the keeper beaten the ball struck the top of the crossbar.

The tempo of the game then seemed to drop off after that, with Abbey Hulton United restricting the Ravens to far less in front of goal.

With the game falling slightly stagnant, the visitors then stunned a packed Bowl stadium by taking the lead in sensational style on 39 minutes.

Abbey Hulton United’s Daniel Cope stepped up to a free-kick on the left edge of the FC IOM penalty area, and whipped an exquisite strike into Ravens ‘keeper, Matthew Quirk’s top right corner to silence the home support.

1-0 down at half-time, FC IOM upped the pace at the start of the second period, and grabbed an equaliser on 58 minutes.

Half-time substitute, Charlie Higgins, beat Abbey Hulton defender, Kevyn Davies, with the ball down the left flank before fizzing a low cross across the six yard box for Adam Mealin to bundle the ball home at the back post from point blank range.

The home side continued to press for a winner after that, but the Abbey Hulton United defence remained resolute stifling the Ravens to little opportunities in the final third.

Despite sustaining heavy pressure, the visitors nearly retook the lead with nine minutes of normal time left, but Angelo Errico’s powerful curling strike from just outside the FC IOM box whistled just past Quirk’s bottom right post.

But around 60 seconds after that, FC IOM got the moment they’d been craving.

A long cross from left to right found Mealin on the right edge of the Abbey Hulton penalty area, and the Ravens winger expertly turned inside onto his left foot away from Abbey Hulton’s Kristian Parsons, and curled a low strike in off the near post past Kurasik to make it 2-1, sparking wild celebrations from the Manx supporters and players alike.

The victory for FC IOM means they finish second in the NWCFL Div 1 South table, and will play at home against Wythenshawe Amateurs in the play-off semi-final next Saturday (9 April) kicking-off at 6.30pm.

Attendance: 1,847

Mam of the match: Adam Mealin (FC Isle of Man)