FC Isle of Man late, late show stuns AFC Liverpool

Ten-man Ravens snatch dramatic win after three stoppage time goals

Ten-man FC Isle of Man scored two of three second-half stoppage time goals as they claimed a wild 2-1 win over AFC Liverpool in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (25 January).

After a goalless 90 minutes, the hosts led through Jacob Crook late on despite seeing striker Adam Adebiyi sent off during the second period.

Moments after AFC Liverpool grabbed a quickfire equaliser in the 96th minute through a smart strike from Elliot Taylor from ten yards out.

But straight from the restart and with seconds remaining, Ste Whitley swept through the AFC Liverpool defence and slotted a low effort into the net from close range to dramatically snatch all three points for the hosts.

Tonight's encounter saw the Manx hosts on a run of five defeats in their last six up against an AFC Liverpool side who they'd only beaten once in seven attempts.

Just 12 minutes in, FC Isle of Man rattled the woodwork as Whitley unleashed a strike from 30 yards which beat AFC Liverpool goalkeeper, Harry Campbell but crashed off the top of the crossbar.

The home side came close again in the 24th minute when Crook cut inside from the left flank, only to see a curling effort to the far corner whistle just wide of the post.

Ten minutes into the second half 'The Ravens' found themselves down to ten men as Adam Adebiyi picked up two yellow cards in as many minutes for a duo of fouls in quick succession.

As the tie seemed headed towards a goalless draw into the 90th minute, AFC Liverpool missed a gilt-edged chance to take a late lead two minutes into time added on.

FC Isle of Man failed to deal with a corner which resulted in Taylor for the visitors squaring to the back post to unmarked substitute Joel Skillen who - just two yards out - inexplicably scuffed a shot up onto the bar and out of play.

Just two minutes after that the deadlock was broken - a corner at the other end fell to FC Isle of Man's Sam Baines a few yards out from goal who poked a pass to Crook who swiveled and struck a low effort which went under Campbell and into the net.

Throwing caution to the wind and with a man advantage, AFC Liverpool seconds later won a free kick on the left flank which was floated to the far post and headed back across goal into Taylor, and with his back to goal he rifled a low drive through the bodies past stranded FC Isle of Man stopper Adam Killey and into the bottom corner to level the game.

But the drama wasn't over as - with 98 minutes on the clock - a long FC Isle of Man cross straight from the kick-off found Ste Whitley on the right.

'The Ravens' skipper then danced past two challenges to get into the box and - from a tight angle - squeeze a shot past Campbell which nestled in the keeper's bottom right hand corner, sparking wild celebrations from the home support.

That moment would prove to be the final chapter in a breathless end to the game as referee Daniel O'Brien would blow for full-time seconds afterwards to see the home outfit claim maximum points at the death.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be at home against Irlam on Saturday, 1 February, kicking-off at 6pm.

Man of the Match: Jacob Crook (FC Isle of Man)