FC Isle of Man held to third successive home draw

Higgins nets twice in Ravens stalemate with South Liverpool

FC Isle of Man's winless streak has stretched to seven games as they were held to a 2-2 home draw with South Liverpool in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (22 March).

South Liverpool led inside less than two minutes through a Charlie Glennon header before Charlie Higgins netted from close range to equalise for the hosts.

The visitors led again in the 26th minute as Stephen Milne converted from the penalty spot after Fidan Hajdari was fouled in the FC Isle of Man penalty area.

Five minutes into the second half Higgins found the net again from a few yards out as the Islanders recorded their third successive draw at The Bowl.

Less than 90 seconds had elapsed in tonight's clash before South Liverpool took an early lead.

A Dominic Cain cross from the right was met by Glennon ten yards out whose header looped over FC Isle of Man goalkeeper Adam Killey to open the scoring.

A shell-shocked FC Isle of Man were nearly punished again five minutes later when Elliot Owen rounded Killey only to see his effort on goal blocked on the line by FC Isle of Man's Jacob Crook.

Despite a rocky start, the hosts got level with 11 minutes on the clock - Dan Simpson broke free down the right, feeding a pass to Ste Whitley who arrowed a low ball to Higgins who - sliding in from six yards out - converted his strike into the bottom corner.

A frenetic first period saw South Liverpool then awarded a penalty in the 25th minute as Hajdari was adjudged to have been forcefully pushed to the floor by Alex Maitland in the FC Isle of Man penalty area.

Up stepped Milne who calmly sent Killey the wrong way and swept low into the opposite corner to hand the visitors the lead for a second time.

Into the second period and in need of inspiration, FC Isle of Man were rewarded for a bright start on 50 minutes.

South Liverpool failed to fully clear a corner with a looping ball from a deflected Whitley strike sailing into the air and - with South Liverpool goalkeeper Lucas Allan nowhere to be found - Higgins was under the ball from point-blank range to poke home to level the tie once more.

Much of the second half then past with little for either goalkeeper to consider.

Even six minutes of additional time in the closing stages wouldn't be capitalised on by either as both had to settle for a point under the floodlights.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be at home against Lower Breck on Saturday, 29 March, kicking-off at 6pm.

Man of the Match: Charlie Higgins (FC Isle of Man)