A Sean Doyle hat trick and Ste Whitley’s goal straight from a corner weren’t enough for FC Isle of Man as the Ravens lost away at FC St Helens.
The first NWCFL Premier Division meeting between the two sides was a great game for neutrals, with the nine-goal thriller only being won late in the second half.
Tom McNamara got the home side off to a great start as he showed great composure to glide through the Ravens back line, calmly rounding Adam Killey and slotting into he empty net, 1-0.
McNamara soon grabbed his second as he pounced to tap the rebound after Joe Barker had been denied by the post, 2-0.
The Ravens responded well to that goal and were rewarded for their efforts as Ste Whitley’s corner floated over everyone into the far corner to make it 2-1.
The stripes restored their two goal lead when Josh Hall’s rabona cross was only half-cleared, McNamara’s strike was flicked on by Barker who made it 3-1.
Whitley was at the centre of things again for the Ravens as his cross was nodded back across goal by Adam Adebiyi for Doyle to head past the Merseyside team’s keeper, 3-2.
The first half still had one final turn to take as McNamara popped up to claim his hat trick and made it 4-2 at the interval.
Paul Jones’ men showed a lot of character in the second half to get back level as Doyle’s volley just before the hour mark was followed by a a deft header that was incorrectly attributed to Ronan McDonnell to make it 4-4.
Despite a raft of changes, the Ravens couldn’t find a fifth goal, with Charlie Higgins looking the most likely after coming off the bench.
However, the stripes would have the last laugh as Barker got himself in behind and squared the ball to Tom Scarborough who tapped into the empty net at the back post to make it 5-4.
After the game, manager Paul Jones didn’t mince his words about what he thought went wrong.
