Old Boys and Geordies neck and neck

Old Boys and St George's maintained their 100 per cent records at the start of the new league season and are level at the top of the Canada Life Premier League, with the same number of points and the same goal difference.

However, the Blackberry Lane side, going for their first title for over 20 years, just edge it in the rankings, by virtue of having scored one more goal than their local rivals.

Old Boys had to work hard against Ramsey at Ballacloan, eventually coming out 2-1 winners with a goal in each half. Their scorers were twins Callum and Craig Stewart, the latter scoring from the penalty spot. Ramsey's reply came from Barry Gaffney with the last kick of the game.

St George's might have thought their ten goals away to Ramsey Youth Centre would put them on the top of the pile, but it wasn't quite enough. Four Island senior international did the damage, with Keiron McNulty hitting four goals, three from Frankie Jones, two from Callum Morrissey and one from James McStay. The Geordies put their relatively sluggish start behind them with that win, but for Youth Centre it's all doom and glum, with 22 goals conceded and no points from three matches.

For the second time in four days Gymns took the lead in a league match, but ending up losing. Mark McGarrick drew first blood against Laxey at Tromode, but goals from Johnny Callow (2), college student Fraser Vaughan and Danny Oram gave the visitors a 4-1 advantage at half-time. Fraser grabbed his second two minutes into the second half, Gymns pulled one back on 68, but Ashley Webster, Laxey's top scorer last season, made it 6-2, 12 minutes from the end.

Peel beat Corinthians 4-0 in a game with a bizarre scoring sequence at Douglas Road. Keren Christian put the home team ahead in the 69th minute, and they were still 1-0 up as the match entered the final minute. Then Daniel Lace doubled their advantage and a minute later player-manager Rob Cottier made it 3-1. Remarkably, Peel still weren't finished, as Matthew Ward got a fourth, in the fifth minute of injury time.

One of the games of the day saw St Mary's beat undefeated Rushen United 3-1. New signing Dave Skillen, from Douglas Royal, put the Saints ahead in the first half, and the same player made it 2-0 after the interval. Brian Crellin hit the goal of the game for St Mary's, and new signing Mike Williams, from Castletown, got a consolation for Rushen after coming off the bench.

Castletown recorded a 3-1 win at home to Ayre, in a match saw all the goals in the first half. It was Castletown first victory of the season and their players on target were Mark Wolfenden (2) and his strike partner Alex Crawley, with his first of the season. Paul Kinnish replied for Ayre.

Union Mills lead JCK Division Two with three straight wins. Silver Boot contender Steve Quine got all three goals as they won 3-1 at Foxdale. It was 2-1 at half-time, and the scorer for the home team was Steve Bettridge.

Colby were the top scorers of the day in the division, hitting eight away to Braddan, in their first win of the new campaign. The southern side did most of the damage in the first half, and were 7-0 up as they listened to their half-time team talk. The eight goals came from James Corlett (3), Tom Ward (2), his brother Freddie, Richard Cork and Chris McKenna. Will Smith got Braddan's goal in the second half.

In the early season top of the table clash Douglas Royal came out 2-1 winners at home to Douglas and District. Royal, who were relegated at the end of last season, scored through Craig Dolman and Gavin Gawne.

The other relegated side, Michael, had their first win of the season, after losing to Ronaldsway and Union Mills in their first two matches. They tasted success at home to the Police, scoring four goals and conceding one.

Liam Crawley and Jordan Edge were on target for Ronaldsway as they were beaten 3-2 in the southern derby at Malew.

In the late kick-off match, Marown were 5-0 up at Onchan after 45 minutes.

High flying Corinthians are top of Canada Life Combination Division One, with three wins out of three. Lee Sum in the first half and Nigel Moody in the second saw them get the better of reigning champions Peel, for whom it was a second defeat in three outings. Corinthians, who scored 13 goals at Gymns in their second game of the season, are top on goal difference from Rushen.

Rushen had a good 3-0 home win against St Mary's, with goals from Martin Chalker, Neil Curphy and Jordan Watterson.

Laxey and Ramsey both also have 100 per cent records, but have only played two games, while Old Boys, still many people's favourites for the title, lost their 100 per cent record at home to Ramsey.

Marown kept up their 100 per cent record at the top of JCK Combination Two with a 5-0 home win against Onchan. First team manager David Brew had a rare outing and was among the scorers.