Clinical Pilkington punish FC Isle of Man

Doyle nets 50th club goal in defeat in St Helens

FC Isle of Man were left to rue missed opportunities as they suffered a 3-1 defeat against a clinical Pilkington in the NWCFL Premier Division last night (6 September).

Pilkington took the lead on 22 minutes through Christopher Lomax with FC Isle of Man's biggest first-half chance a penalty on the stroke of half-time with Jack McVey seeing his spot kick saved by Pilkington goalkeeper, Matthew Slevin.

The hosts then doubled their lead on 67 minutes with Lomax striking again before Sean Doyle pulled one back with his 50th goal for the Ravens with a header from close range with sixteen minutes to go.

But the possible comeback for the Manx side was short-lived as Bruno De Almeida Severino netted just two minutes after Doyle had to secure all three points for the St Helens side.

Speaking to FC Isle of Man's official website, Ravens' boss Paul Jones admits he and his team are all 'angry' and frustrated at the result:

Last night's clash at The Arcoframe Stadium saw the home side, Pilkington, start the brighter with FC Isle of Man stopper, Ben Wilkinson, forced into an early one-on-one save after just ten minutes.

The hosts' pressure then paid off on 22 minutes as Lomax got the final touch on a sweeping Pilkington move, running in behind the FC Isle of Man backline before slotting calmly past Wilkinson.

The first period was not without openings, however, for FC Isle of Man and their biggest one of the first 45 came just before the break when striker, Tom Creer was felled in the Pilkington penalty area.

Up stepped Jack McVey for the Ravens from twelve yards who saw his effort pushed away by Slevin to see the home side head into the half-time break with a slender lead.

Trailing going into the second half, the Island side started well and a second penalty appeal for the visitors was waved away when there were claims Doyle had been handled and brought down in the Pilkington box.

But with 66 minutes played FC Isle of Man were punished despite their second-half dominance as a Pilkington break saw Lomax fed again six yards out from the right flank to slot past Wilkinson once more for 2-0.

Despite another setback, the Ravens continued to press again and did eventually find the net in the 74th minute as Doyle met a Jacob Crook cross from the left to power down a header at the near post.

But the comeback was to be short-lived as just two minutes later Pilkington restored their two-goal cushion, this time with Severino being found with a low pass six yards out in the FC Isle of Man box before rifling a strike past a rooted Wilkinson to make it 3-1.

The result leaves FC Isle of Man sitting in ninth in the NWCFL Premier Division standings on 16 points after ten games.

After six consecutive away games, FC Isle of Man's next match will see them return home to The Bowl this Saturday (9 September) against Prestwich Heys, kicking-off at 6pm.