Errors cost FC Isle of Man dear against Litherland

Second-half mistakes halt Ravens comeback at The Bowl

A number of costly defensive errors saw FC Isle of Man taste defeat again in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (12 April) with a 3-2 home loss at the hands of ten-man Litherland REMYCA.

Joel Ogiugo's scuffed close-range strike put the visitors in front less than four minutes into the contest.

Litherland then struck twice in two minutes early in the second half as Owen Beamon pounced on a fumble from FC IoM goalkeeper Ben Wilkinson before Eric Durnell capitalised on a sloppy back pass to net a third.

Beamon then diverted into his own net with 15 minutes to go before Sean Doyle headed home from a corner with five minutes to go as 'The Ravens' missed out on a late comeback despite a late red card for Litherland's James Hammill.

Tonight's clash involved two sides desperate to taste victory again with the Manx side without a win in nine and Litherland coming to the Island searching for a first victory in seven.

It took Litherland just four minutes to make a breakthrough as Hammill skipped past two challenges on the left and squared for Ogiugo who swivelled and sent a bobbling effort into the bottom corner.

Three minutes after FC Isle of Man came close as Jacob Crook saw a header from a corner cleared off the goal line by Litherland's Harry McVeigh.

Doyle was next to go close for the hosts 16 minutes in, rounding Litherland goalkeeper Patrick McLoughlin before hitting the post from a tight angle.

Twenty minutes later Doyle was sent through one-on-one with McLoughlin again, this time with the 'keeper taking it off the striker's feet at a crucial moment 15 yards out before Doyle could pull the trigger.

Into the second period and Doyle rattled the woodwork less than 60 seconds after the restart, seeing an effort from the edge of the box cannon off the goalkeeper's right post.

But moments after, a glaring FC Isle of Man mistake gifted Litherland REMYCA a second.

A free-kick swung in from the left was spilled by Wilkinson to the feet of Beamon who tapped home from just two yards out.

Another defensive howler followed two minutes later in the 50th minute as a poor back pass from Ryan Burns was seized upon by substitute Durnell who calmly rounded Wilkinson and stroked home into an empty net.

All of a sudden with a mountain to climb, FC Isle of Man were given a lifeline of their own with 15 minutes to play.

A cross from the left from substitute Charlie Higgins was met by Beamon who inadvertently sent his mishit clearance past his own 'keeper and into the net.

With their tails up, FC Isle of Man set up a grandstand finish with five minutes of normal time left.

A Ste Whitley corner from the right found Doyle six yards out who rose highest to power a header home to lower the deficit once more.

Litherland's efforts to contain 'The Ravens' got harder in stoppage time as Hammill was given his marching orders in the 91st minute for delaying the restart from an FC Isle of Man free kick.

The Manx side then nearly grabbed a dramatic late equaliser in the 94th minute - Nathan Little found space on the edge of the area but with a chance to shoot, sent his resulting effort over the crossbar to see Litherland through to only their second away win of the campaign.

FC Isle of Man's next and final match of the season will be against West Didsbury & Chorlton next Saturday (18 April) kicking-off at 3pm.

It's now been confirmed this match will be played at a neutral away venue to be confirmed to avoid a clash next weekend with the Ecap FA Cup final at The Bowl on the same day.

Man of the Match: Harry McVeigh (Litherland REMYCA)