Ravens Storm Past Irlam

If Colgate need a new smiley spokesman, Paul Jones would be a main contender after Saturday night as FC Isle of Man clinically dispatched Irlam 4-1 at the Bowl.

Two goals in each half saw off the Greater Manchester side despite Millon Brown’s thunderb*stard consolation goal.

With pressure building on the Ravens after a poor start to 2023, they couldn’t have asked for a more frustrating start as captain Frank Jones went off after just two minutes with what looked like a hamstring injury.

With few openings at either end in the early stages of the game, Charlie Higgins came closest as he chased down a lofted pass and with the visitors’ keeper in no man’s land, Higgins was desperately unlucky to see his effort come back off the post from a tight angle.

Jones’ replacement, Furo Davies, a scorer of many a great goal in the club’s brief but action packed history, would set the Ravens on their way, meeting a Ste Whitley free kick with a delightful header to make it 1-0.

A second followed barley two minutes later as Jacob Crook played in Ste Whitley who took a touch to settle himself before slotting past the visitor’s keeper to make it 2-0 with just 24 minutes on the clock.

With just under 40 minutes on the clock the away side pulled one back through Brown’s 25-yard pile driver.

That unnerved the home crowd, who have grown used to seeing the Ravens undone by conceding goals in quick succession and were it not for brave keeping by Ben Wilkinson, this could’ve happened again.

Despite that scare, Paul Jones’ men showed a maturity and mental toughness to hold their lead until half-time.

Just five minutes into the second half, Davies’ lovely flick set Higgins off and when he nipped it past the Irlam defender, he was sent sprawling and was duly awarded a penalty, from which Jack McVey made it 3-1.

Any lingering doubts were soon swept away as Mikey Williams rose highest to power home a Ste Whitley corner after Irlam keeper Thomas Goodwin misjudged the flight of the ball.

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As the Ravens controlled the rest of the game, Irlam only managed half chances, which were dealt with superbly by Ben Wilkinson.

The only fly in the ointment came in added time as Furo Davies was given his marching orders by referee Dan Woodyatt after a poor challenge, his subsequent suspension coming at a time when FC Isle of Man are somewhat lacking in options up top.

Despite this, the Ravens fans were clearly happy with the performance and result.

Speaking after the game, a beaming Paul Jones said: ‘The players were excellent, they’re ecstatic in there. We’ve seen a huge amount of progress in how we’re trying to play and tonight it bore fruit against a good side.’

FC Isle of Man’s next game comes away at Ashton Athletic, but they will go into it knowing they are seven clear points of relegation and will be looking up the league rather than over their shoulders.

MotM: Ste Whitley