FC Isle of Man concluded their season with a 2–0 home defeat to play off bound West Didsbury & Chorlton, as a competitive first half gave way to a clinical second from the visitors. The match also marked the final appearance of club captain Seán Doyle, whose contribution throughout the campaign has been considerable, even if this was not the send off he or the Ravens had hoped for.
The opening exchanges were lively, with both sides carving out early chances. West skipper James Moore was booked inside four minutes for hauling down Doyle on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick from Dean Pinnington struck the wall.
Within minutes, Charlie Higgins was denied at close range by West stopper Ollie Martin, and Pinnington attempted an acrobatic effort after good work from Ste Whitley and Doyle, though the keeper gathered comfortably. At the other end, Jacob Crook thwarted Billy Matthews with an important block, as West began to exploit space on the counter.
The Ravens defensive shape was being tested, particularly through the wide areas, with Jack Banister and Victor Abadaki getting into promising positions. A penalty appeal from the visitors was waved away midway through the half when Abadaki went to ground under pressure. Soon after, Crook was forced off following a knock and was replaced by Josh Cain.
Chances continued to flow at both ends. Higgins lobbed narrowly over, while Whitley’s footwork drew applause but no end product. Kyle Watson’s yellow card on 40 minutes seemed harsh but typified a match where the referee was quick to reach for his pocket. The interval arrived with the scores level and both sides still very much in the contest.
The breakthrough came ten minutes after the restart. Abadaki reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, prodding home to give West the lead. It was a scrappy goal, but a vital one in a game of fine margins.
FC IOM nearly responded immediately. Whitley’s delivery from a set piece was met powerfully by Watson, whose header came back off the post with Martin beaten. Substitute Adam Kerruish brought fresh energy and tested Martin with a low drive, but the visitors grew increasingly composed as the half wore on.
Jordan Lazenbury then sealed the points with a clinical finish on 81 minutes, his 30th of the season, after West moved the ball intelligently through midfield. The goal took the sting out of the contest and all but ended the Ravens hopes of a comeback.
Doyle, still driving the side forward deep into added time, saw a long range strike comfortably held.
The result leaves FC Isle of Man finishing 15th in the NWCFL Premier Division on 61 points. It has been a season of ups and downs, but the foundations are there. With a summer ahead to regroup and refresh, attention now turns to building on what has been learned.
For now, though, the curtain comes down. Thank you to the fans who have followed every kick at The Bowl and beyond.
