FC Isle of Man make losing start to 2025

Ravens undone by clinical Glossop North End

FC Isle of Man have made a losing start to 2025 with a 2-0 home defeat to Glossop North End in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (4 January).

Lewis Reilly's low strike on 22 minutes put Glossop North End in front during a fast-paced encounter at The Bowl.

Two minutes later FC Isle of Man were awarded a penalty, however Jack Camarda sent his spot kick over the crossbar.

The away side then doubled their advantage and sealed all three points just after the hour mark when Reilly converted an acrobatic overhead kick from a few yards out after a slick free-kick routine.

Entering the new calendar year tonight, FC Isle of Man were hoping to build on victory last time out whilst Glossop North End were out to turn around back-to-back losses in their last two matches.

The visitors sent an early warning to the Manx side on six minutes as Reilly headed a Philip Perry cross narrowly wide of the post.

Charlie Higgins then came close at the other end in the 19th minute for the home side, first seeing a low effort from six yards blocked by a defending foot before his rebound was denied at point-blank by Glossop North End stopper Alex Brown.

Just over 20 minutes in, Glossop North End sent Dylan McMahon through on goal with his initial shot saved by FC Isle of Man's Adam Killey.

The rebound fell to Reilly on the edge of the box who swiveled and diverted a low right-footed strike under Killey into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

Drama followed straight after the restart as FC Isle of Man rushed forward and were awarded a penalty after Tom Creer was adjudged to have been fouled just inside the Glossop North End penalty area by David Badrock.

Camarda stepped up from the spot but his wild effort went flying high over the crossbar.

The second period began at the same high tempo as the first with FC Isle of Man looking to apply the pressure on the opposition backline.

As the Island outfit made advances, Glossop North End then stunned them at the other end to double their lead in the 62nd minute.

A floated free-kick from the left found Badrock at the back post who nodded the ball back across goal to Reilly who pulled off a sensational overhead kick which rocketed past Killey and into the net.

Moments after, FC Isle of Man were calling for another penalty, this time with substitute Sean Doyle claiming he was brought down by Badrock whilst in on goal only for the protests to be waved away by referee Martyn Kent.

Seeking a late response against a resilient Glossop North End defence, Ste Whitley missed a gilt-edged chance for FC Isle of Man to set up a grandstand conclusion as he met a Jacob Crook cross from the left only to send his half-volley from a few yards out into the ground and bouncing over the crossbar.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against Bury on Saturday, 11 January, kicking-off at 3pm.

Man of the Match: Alex Brown (Glossop North End)