Five Takeaways as Ravens Beat Padiham

With FC Isle of Man coming from behind to beat Paidham on Saturday night, here’s five things we picked up on.

Pinnington’s Masterclass

While Frank Jones picked up the MoTM award, almost everything the Ravens created came through Dean Pinnington on Saturday. While he grabbed another goal, the little magician was the creative spirit throughout the game and also grabbed an assist for Charlie Higgins’ winner. Could’ve got himself another goal if he got his shots off earlier.

Jamie and Al

As is to be expected at this level, there are many changes in personnel across the season, but if you were to nail on a starting partnership at the back, it would be Al Maitland and Jamie Corlett, they’re both good defenders in their own right, but just seem to have an understanding when they play together that brings a sense of calm. With Eoghain Sherrard and Jacob Crook playing as full backs, this back four looked at home playing with each other.

Killey

At the start of the season I assumed Ben Wilkinson would be in with a good shout of being number one, but Adam Killey has played every league game so far this season. On Saturday he wasn’t called upon to make many big saves and could do little with the goal. But, other than a brief scary moment, the way he commands his box just took a bit of the pressure off, especially late on. His distribution has certainly got better too.

Industrious 

The game against Padiham wasn’t pretty at times, but Paul Jones and his backroom staff have got this team in great shape. From Sherrard and Crook at full back to Kyle Watson, Mikey Williams and Sam Baines in midfield, the team never stopped running and looked fitter than the visitors come the end of the game.

Squad Depth

Going into this weekend, many people will have looked at the team and seen no Doyle, no Murray, no Davies, no Whitley, no Creer and been a tad concerned about where the creativity and goals were going to come from. While Pinnington played a big part, Dean Leece was a constant pain for Padiham on the left and Frank Jones did a lot of the leg work up front, it was his run into the channel that made Higgins’ goal possible.

As for Higgins, it was his first game of the season and he looked hungry to prove something. With the previously named three, not to mention Joe Walters and Dan Simpson still to come back, the only problem for Jones will be choosing his best side with all these lads to pick from.