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Murray header secures FC IOM victory against Eccleshall

Photo credit: Gary Weightman/Vannin Photos

Ravens finish double-header weekend with narrow win

A commanding header from Luke Murray was enough to secure FC Isle of Man a 1-0 victory over Eccleshall this afternoon (13 February).

The Ravens faced their second game in two days and were looking to improve on their performance less than 24 hours before which saw them held to a 0-0 draw by Cammell Laird.

The Manx side thought they’d taken the lead after nine minutes when Luke Murray from a drop-ball on the edge of the Eccleshall penalty area slammed a low effort into visiting goalkeeper, Morgan Chilton’s bottom left corner.

However, after initially giving the goal, referee Jack Cliff then reversed his decision and disallowed it, ruling the drop-ball had been taken incorrectly.

Murray soon came close to scoring again when his header from close range from a Chris Bass corner hit the crossbar.

Chilton was on hand with a series of good saves in the first half denying Lee Gale’s curling free-kick on 31 minutes and a powerful 20-yard drive from Furo Davies on the stroke of half time.

Eccleshall proved a true challenge to break down in the first 45 showing some good spells of passing and defending.

Their clearest chance in the first period came on 40 minutes when a swift counter-attack saw Liam Robinson square a pass in the area to Luke Lewis, who went round Ravens ‘keeper, Matthew Quirk, and his effort from a tight angle was turned round the post by FC IOM defender Chris Cannell.

After a goalless stalemate come half time, the Ravens made the breakthrough 13 minutes into the second period.

A short break in play saw Chilton in the Eccleshall goal replaced by outfield man, Liam Robinson, due to injury, and as play resumed Lee Gale swung in an FC Isle of Man corner to the near post to find Murray who powered a header into the near top right corner.

Despite a solid second half display from Eccleshall after going a goal down, the away side were unable to create much in the way of clear cut chances.

In the 91st minute FC IOM spurned the chance to make it two when a quick counter saw Luke Murray on the left square a pass to substitute Ste Whitley who, all alone, fired his shot straight at makeshift Eccleshall ‘keeper, Robinson, and the follow up from Lee Gale was then blocked on the line by Eccleshall captain, Harvey Collins.

But the Island side managed to hold out to claim the 1-0 victory come the full time whistle, meaning they take four points from a possible six this weekend.

FC Isle of Man’s next game will be away against Stafford Town at 1.45pm next Saturday (19 February).

 

Attendance: 1,068

Man of the Match: Luke Murray (FC Isle of Man)

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