Five Takeaways as Ravens Beat Chadderton

FC Isle of Man continued their impressive home form on Monday evening as they beat promotion-chasing Chadderton 3-2 in front of a crowd of over 1,000.

With Dan Hattersley levelling from the spot, Ste Whitley and Charlie Higgins ensured the Ravens made it four in a row on home (astro) turf.

What a Game

The game on Monday was fast, skilful, combative and feisty. In short, everything you could want from a great game of football. Both sides gave everything, even if this spilled over towards the end and after the game, it didn’t ruin what was a brilliant watch.

Charlie’s Angels

Football is a team game, but every now and then one player can dictate a game and be the difference. On Monday that player was Charlie Higgins.

Always a popular figure with the fans, Higgins could previously be said to be inconsistent at times in a Ravens shirt, but he has really kicked on this season, especially since Christmas, and has gone on to become one of the key players.

From the first minute, he was immense, dancing through challenges like Fred Astaire, the Chadderton left-back will seeing Higgins in his nightmares.

He brilliantly beat his man to pick out Ste Whitley to give the Ravens the lead before swivelling and fire home to add a third.

The departure of Dean Pinnington left a gap in the side, but Higgins looks to have stepped up to fill it. An absolute credit to the coaching of Jones and his team.

Phil and Al

Phil Kelly and Al Maitland have built a good partnership in recent weeks and continued that on Monday. The two compliment each other and set the tone. Kelly, in particular, had to battle with the Chadderton attack after Maitland was replaced by the ever-cool Jack McVey, he has grown in confidence since coming into the side this season and they can form the bedrock for next season.

Late Show

Hmm, hard to criticise a mid-table side that beats a promotion contender, even one which mathematically can still make the playoffs itself, but the last five minutes on Monday were concerning. Instead of trying to shut the game down, the young charges who came on went looked for a fourth goal and left gaps, gaps which let Chadderton in and saw them paw back a goal to make it 3-2 in added time.

Chaddy were perhaps also unlucky not to grab a third and level it before the game finished when they were let in again. That would have undone a very good second-half display from the Ravens but also showed that game management can still be an issue.

Fans

Returning to the positives, 1,037 people made their way into the Bowl for Monday’s game. That is the third-highest-attended game this season, behind only the Bury game and the visit of West Didsbury and Chorlton. Not only were those in attendance treated to a great game, they played their part.

The home fans have got louder as the season goes on and with the second-highest average in the league, only behind Bury, visiting teams know they aren’t just facing 11 men, they are taken on the Manx faithful in full voice and while the Conspiracy has built a reputation amongst over teams as the friendliest fan group in the league, the fan group doesn’t let visitors settle and the connection between the fans and the side is only building week by week.

Onwards

The Ravens next game is away at Irlam on Wednesday night.