FC IOM made to pay for costly errors by Kendal Town

Ravens keep waiting for first points of 2023 after loss

FC Isle of Man were made to pay for costly errors as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of in-form Kendal Town in the NWCFL Premier Division at The Bowl this evening (7 January).

An unfortunate Jack McVey own goal put the Cumbrian side in front on 14 minutes before McVey got revenge in the second half , levelling the game from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.

A rare mistake from Ravens goalkeeper James Rice put the visitors back in front at 2-1 with 60 minutes gone after he spilled a cross from Kendal’s James Stanley into his own net.

Kendal Town then made sure of the three points when substitute Finley Lynch rounded Rice and slotted into an empty net in the 76th minute after some intricate attacking play.

FC Isle of Man went into tonight’s match hunting for their first points of 2023 after a 4-3 home defeat to Burscough on Monday (2 January).

However, they faced a Kendal Town team who were boasting a rich vein of form and having lost just once in nine outings.

The first half began at a good pace and intensity from both sides, and in a close-fought opening period Kendal Town took the lead 14 minutes in in slightly unexpected circumstances.

A free-kick out right from 25 yards was whipped into the FC IOM six-yard box by Kendal captain, Robert Wilson, and the ball cannoned off the ankle of Ravens’ midfielder Jack McVey and in off the left post of the FC IOM net.

Despite the setback, FC Isle of Man responded well increasing the pressure on their opponents - they nearly made their own breakthrough in first-half stoppage time, but defender Jamie Corlett saw his powerful header 12 yards out from a Ste Whitley corner on the right cleared off the Kendal Town goalline.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, FC Isle of Man made a bright start to the second period and were handed a big chance when striker, Furo Davies, was bundled over by Kendal defender, Daniel Hammond, in the Kendal Town box which saw referee Jacob Widdowson award the home side a penalty.

Up stepped McVey who made amends from the spot, coolly slotting home his penalty into Kendal ‘keeper, Daniel Roccia’s bottom right corner.

The second half then continued at a good pace with neither goalkeeper facing too much action, but the Cumbrian visitors were then gifted a 2-1 lead with just over 60 minutes gone.

An innocuous cross from 45 yards out on the left from Kendal’s James Stanley was floated into the FC Isle of Man penalty area and keeper Rice, seemingly bringing the cross under control six yards out, spilled the ball as he came to catch with the ball then rolling agonisingly past him into the bottom left corner.

Seemingly deflated, FC Isle of Man struggled to break down an increasingly resolute Kendal side in response with Roccia in the Kendal goal facing little to deal with.

’The Mintcakes’ then got a decisive third with 14 minutes remaining - an intricate passing move starting on the right ended with midfielder, Shaun Sailor, feeding substitute, Finley Lynch through the Ravens defence and he, up against Rice, rounded the goalkeeper before firing a low shot in at the near left post to secure all three points.

FC Isle of Man’s next match will be away against Squires Gate on Wednesday, 11 January, kicking-off at 8pm.

Man of the Match: Shaun Sailor (Kendal Town)