Spirited FC Isle of Man lose out at Padiham

Both sides finish the game with ten men after entertaining contest

FC Isle of Man lost out in what could be the final game of their 2025.26 NWCFL Premier Division season after a 4-2 defeat at Padiham this afternoon (18 April).

Dean Pinnington headed home to give 'The Ravens' the lead before a Fenton Davies strike and Joel Bronwhill penalty put Padiham in front going into half-time.

Lewis Ayres grabbed Padiham's third shortly after the break before Danny Gerrard was sent off for FC Isle of Man with just under 20 minutes to go.

A Ste Whitley finish reduced the deficit again before Padiham made it 4-2 as Davies bagged his second with the home side claiming three points despite seeing Isaac Smith shown a red card late on.

FC Isle of Man made a bright start count to take the lead 11 minutes in when a Ste Whitley corner was met by Pinnington who nodded home to break the deadlock.

This seemed to be the catalyst for Padiham to find an extra gear and the hosts struck back on 25 minutes when a through ball from Jack Price sent Davies in on goal to slot past FC Isle of Man goalkeeper, Adam Killey for the equaliser.

Nine minutes after that, the home side were awarded a penalty when Price was bundled over in the FC Isle of Man penalty area - Brownhill took responsibilities from the spot and duly converted to give Padiham the lead heading towards half-time.

In the ascendancy, Padiham were quickest out the blocks after the restart, adding a third just three minutes into the second period when Lewis Ayres struck home.

In the 68th minute, FC Isle of Man's job got tougher when they were reduced to ten men with Danny Gerrard seeing red for a high-footed challenge.

Despite the disadvantage, the Manx side reduced the deficit two minutes later when Ste Whitley found the net at the back post following a header across the box.

But Padiham restored their two-goal cushion moments later when Davies bagged his second of the contest, rifling in from distance past Killey.

With 15 minutes left, Padiham themselves found themselves a man lighter when Isaac Smith was sent off but this did nothing to alter the scoreline as FC Isle of Man left Lancashire empty-handed.

As it stands, this will have been FC Isle of Man's last match of the current campaign, however, they do still have a match outstanding - the abandoned home tie against Prestwich Heys on Sunday, 5 April.

A decision on the status of that fixture is still to be confirmed.