Ravens Stunned by Skelmersdale

FC Isle of Man’s fine form came to a juddering halt on Monday as they lost 2-0 to bottom of the league Skelmersdale United.

The result drops the Ravens down to fifth.

The travelling side should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when Dean Pinnington broke into the area and squared to Frank Jones, who saw his effort saved, chances then fell the way of Charlie Higgins and Mikey Williams but both saw their efforts saved before the home side scrambled it clear.

A couple of minutes later Pinnington was again causing the home side’s defence all manner of issues, but his link up with Conor Birch came to nothing.

The Ravens were perhaps lucky not to be behind moments later as Skelmersdale saw a shot skim the crossbar, much to the relief of the travelling conspiracy of FC Isle of Man fans.

Despite a lot of good work from the Ravens, particularly Higgins out wide, the game was level 0-0 at the break.

FC Isle of Man have a bit of a reputation as a second half side, but Monday was not going to be their day as Ben Barnes kept them at bay in the Skelmersdale goal.

Despite Pinnginton beating three men to set up a late chance, the closest the Ravens could get was when his shot was saved by Barnes and when Sam Gelling’s shot cannoned back off the post.

With the home side pushing forward, they got their goal in the 87th minute as a shot came back off the bar to give Josh Green a simple header from six yards out.

With the Ravens chasing the game, Killey failed to deal with a pass back from Williams and gave it straight to Skelmersdale’s Tom Ward to wrap it up the game 2-0 and give the Blue their first points of the season.

Speaking after the game, assisted manager Alex Harrison said: ‘We can’t dwell on this defeat, you’re got to go again. Games come thick and fast in this league.’

The Ravens next game is on Saturday, away at Wythenshawe Town. Town sit one place about the Ravens on goal difference and beat Lower Breck 3-0 on Monday