FC Isle of Man’s return to The Bowl ended in frustration as they conceded late to Stockport Town, suffering a 2-1 defeat, in a performance that manager Paul Jones described “not very good at all” after the match.
From the outset, Stockport Town looked the more confident side, testing the Ravens defensive resolve with high balls, set-piece deliveries, and teasing crosses. The home team struggled to settle, often pinned back in their own half as the visitors pressed for an early breakthrough. Yet, despite being second-best in the initial stages, it was FC Isle of Man who opened the scoring against the run of play on 21 minutes.
The Ravens breakthrough arrived when Whitley found space on the right, he clipped a dangerous ball across the 6 yard box where Seán Doyle was stationed at the far post to nod home from close range, handing FC Isle of Man the advantage. Within moments of that goal, the hosts nearly doubled their tally when Dean Pinnington broke through with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his finish drifted just wide over the bar, letting Stockport Town off the hook.
Undeterred, Stockport continued to threaten. Around the half-hour mark, a driven cross from the left found one of the visiting forwards, whose headed attempt struck the post, denying what looked like a certain equaliser. As the interval approached, the Ravens nearly capitalised again when Crook directed a header toward goal from a free-kick on the left flank, forcing a spectacular, acrobatic tip onto the woodwork by the visiting keeper, Schofield. Despite these late first-half chances, the home side headed into the break clinging to their narrow 1-0 lead.
Six minutes into the second half, Stockport Town’s attacking intent continued as they once more struck the crossbar, this time after a clever run down the left released Joshua Edwards, who sent a delicate effort over keeper Adam Killey but narrowly failed to find the net. This persistent pressure weighed on the Ravens backline, and as the hour mark passed, the visitors finally found their reward.
Stockport levelled matters through Keane Barugh after sustained pressure around the edge of the penalty area. His initial shot was blocked, but he swiftly regained possession and curled a low effort beneath Killey into the bottom corner, evening the contest at 1-1. That strike set the stage for a tense finale with both sides pushing for a decisive goal.
The Ravens thought they had regained the lead when Doyle found the net once more, but the effort was promptly ruled out for offside. Meanwhile, Stockport Town refused to let up, sensing an opportunity to claim all three points. Their patience was rewarded in the 85th minute as they launched a rapid counter-attack from a Ravens corner at the other end.
Substitute Darren Ehimamiegho surged down the left wing and cut into the box before sending a low pass that took a slight deflection before finding Ethan Padden, who was waiting at the back post. He made no mistake from close range, tapping in the decisive goal that secured the visitors’ 2-1 triumph.
Though FC Isle of Man pushed desperately in the dying moments, launching aerial balls into Stockport’s box, the clock worked against them and the game was brought to an end.
Match Sponsors The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company selected Aelx Maitland as their man of the match.
FC Isle of Man are next in action, away to Lower Breck on Saturday, 21 December, Kick off is at 13:30.
