FC Isle of Man brought the curtain down on 2024 in spectacular style on Saturday evening, securing a 3-2 victory over FC St Helens at the Bowl thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time header from substitute Ste Whitley.
FC Isle of Man thought they might have an early breakthrough when Jacob Crook chipped a ball over the top for Luke Booth six minutes into the contest. Booth flicked it over the advancing FC St Helens stopper, Joe Mason, but Charlie Higgins attempt to bundle the ball in at the far post was impeded by an apparent shove in the back. The referee ignored penalty appeals and awarded a goal kick. Soon after, Joseph Barker tried his luck from distance for St Helens, but Adam Killey in the Ravens net held on comfortably.
FC St Helens then delivered a dangerous corner into a crowded penalty area in the 16th minute. One of the visiting forwards glanced a header across goal before Michael Ibeto powered home a header past Killey for the opener to give the visiting side the lead.
The Ravens continued to create chances through Higgins and Creer. The latter was then shoved over just before the half-hour mark, resulting in a free kick from the left. Although the first delivery was blocked, Danny Gerrard pounced on the clearance and lofted a delicate pass beyond the visiting defenders. Higgins took advantage, rounded the goalkeeper Mason, and slid the ball home to level matters.
FC Isle of Man quickly looked for a second goal, with signs of danger for St Helens when Crook combined with Higgins in the 40th minute. However, Mason was alert enough to smother the drilled cross. Tensions flared shortly thereafter when, in the 42nd minute, Josh Hall’s robust challenge on Sam Baines was ruled a foul. In the aftermath, Hall was shown a straight red card by the referee for a verbal altercation with the linesman. The hosts sensed an opportunity to take control, but the half ended with the sides level at 1-1 and St Helens a man down.
Emerging after the interval, FC Isle of Man wasted no time pressing home their numerical advantage. Just two minutes into the second half, Higgins found joy down the left and delivered an inviting ball to the far post. Booth rose to meet it, arrowing a header beyond Mason to put the Ravens 2-1 up. The hosts nearly extended their lead immediately when Booth slipped Higgins through in the 49th minute, only for Mason to deny the first shot and then produce a heroic follow-up save from Gerrard’s effort.
10-man St Helens then rocked the Bowl by drawing level. A quick move culminated in substitute Tom Smith diverting a low strike past Killey in the 64th minute to make it 2-2. Undeterred, FC Isle of Man made a triple substitution, introducing Seán Doyle, Dean Pinnington, and Ste Whitley in a bid to swing the contest back in their favour.
Doyle was fouled on 74 minutes, offering another set-piece opportunity that came to nothing. A minute later, Callum Sherry found himself with a glimpse of goal but could only lift the ball over the bar at the back post. With ten minutes left, Pinnington fired off a curling attempt that Mason once again batted away. The resulting corner was headed over by Alex Maitland.
With time running out, Crook rose to meet a cross in the 87th minute but could only direct his header straight into Mason’s arms. Six minutes of added time followed, with The Bowl sensing something special could still happen. Indeed, the visitors goalkeeper produced one final moment of brilliance in stoppage time, getting his fingertips to another Crook effort that looked destined for the net.
Undeterred, FC Isle of Man kept their composure and found the winning goal deep into added time. Sherry received the ball out wide and delivered a perfectly weighted cross to the far post, where Whitley soared to power a header home. Mason had no chance on this occasion, sealing three points for the Ravens, who saw out the final seconds to clinch a stunning 3-2 victory.
Match sponsors 3 Oaks Gaming awarded the Man of the Match trophy to Danny Gerrard.
Next up is a home fixture against Glossop North End on January 4th, with kick-off at 18:00.
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