Five Takeaways as Ravens Beat Skem

Goals from Jack McVey (pen), Charlie Higgins and Sean Doyle saw FC Isle of Man beat Skelmersdale United on Saturday night as the Ravens faithful were treated to a dominant second half display.

The result also saw them secure back to back clean sheets for the first time this season.

Pascal Who?

Before the game you could be forgiven for thinking there was one-man tour de force coming to the Bowl on Saturday night in the shape of Pascal Chimbonda. While he was undoubtedly a draw for the game, the Ravens played it like any other game and like he was any other player. They could easily have fallen into the trap of playing the man not the game, but Paul Jones and his coaches will have stamped out any thoughts that this was anything other than another league game and in doing so, set the Ravens on their way to victory.

Control

I can’t remember the last time I saw the Ravens be so in control of a game, aside from a 10 minute spell in the first half, they controlled the game and their back line and Ben Wilkinson were rarely troubled, in fact there were times ‘Big Ben’ was in danger of being charged the £10 admission fee he spent so much time as a spectator.

That isn’t to do down Skem, it was achieved through the battling midfield display from Mikey Williams and Kyle Watson, the aggressiveness of the defence in sniffing out danger and the press led from the front by Sean Doyle, the Ravens looks confident and happy in their own skins and with Jones not one to let complacency slip in, they should only improve.

DPH

Every front three trio needs a nickname and the Ravens seem to have a good one with Doyle, Dean Pinnington and Charlie Higgins. While Higgins’ selection as man of the match by the game’s sponsors was met with some interesting looks from the home bench, his role in two of Saturday’s goals showed his class. Pinnington caused chaos all night and Doyle not only got his goal, but spent a decent portion of the evening giving a former Premier League defender (Chimbonda incase you needed reminding) nightmares.

The Ravens will have more difficult tests than Skem, but they have the quality to find the goals to trouble anyone.

Crook

The only real negative tonight was another injury for the Ravens as Jacob Crook was forced off, at first glance it looked like he’d rolled his ankle, hopefully it won’t be too serious, he’s been a big player for the Ravens this year and everyone will no doubt be wishing him a speedy recovery.

The Conspiracy 

The home fans loved every moment on Saturday and they showed it. From before kick off they were loud and passionate and carried that throughout the game. With songs detailing of trips across land and sea, the affection the home fans have for their team knows no end and the Pully Bridge End is growing in numbers and loudness each and every week.

Saturday February 17 will see an invasion hit the Bowl as Bury bring their legions of fans to the island, but if the Ravens’ 12th man can continue to find and grow its voice, it will create one hell of an atmosphere possibly not seen since that night against West Didsbury back in 2022.