Ravens salvage last-gasp draw with Prestwich Heys

Three second-half red cards during wild conclusion at The Bowl

A stoppage time FC Isle of Man equaliser and three second half red cards were among the headlines as 'The Ravens' salvaged a late 2-2 draw with Prestwich Heys in the NWCFL Premier Division this afternoon (16 March).

'Heys' took the lead on 14 minutes through Lee Grimshaw's close-range finish with Sean Doyle's deflected strike levelling for the Islanders on the stroke of half-time.

Takura Sambizi's great solo finish put the visitors in front again on 63 minutes before FC Isle of Man rescued a point in the sixth minute of added time through an Alex Maitland half-volley from a corner.

That was the final twist in a wild second period in which Dean Pinnington of FC Isle of Man as well as David Edwards and substitute Connor Martin of Prestwich Heys were sent off during a chaotic ten-minute spell.

Facing their second game in less than 24 hours, FC Isle of Man welcomed a Prestwich Heys side rooted to the bottom of the table and four points from safety.

In a low-key first half, Prestwich Heys led after some good work from Sambizi on the left who squared a pass to an unmarked Grimshaw six yards out to tap home.

As 'The Ravens' failed to inspire going forward, they found a route back into the contest in the 45th minute.

A Ste Whitley free-kick from the right wasn't dealt with as Doyle around 15 yards out spun and struck towards goal with his effort taking a big deflection before heading past Prestwich Heys goalkeeper, Harry Allen and into the top corner.

The second half began in a similarly cagey manner, but just after the hour mark the away side struck again.

Breaking from an FC Isle of Man corner, Bryson Appleton fed Sambizi through on goal who rounded Ravens' stopper, Adam Killey before passing into an empty net.

The hosts' job then got tougher on 70 minutes as Pinnington - only on the field for around six minutes - was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Prestwich Heys' Edwards.

However, less than ten minutes later the tables turned again in two minutes of madness.

A mass melee between both sets of players followed a cynical challenge by Appleton on FC Isle of Man's Kyle Watson in the 78th minute.

As a result of the chaos, referee Jack Tooth showed straight red cards to both Edwards and Martin for their roles in the incident to put 'Heys' down to nine men for the closing stages.

During eight minutes of second half stoppage time, FC Isle of Man began to throw bodies forward against a stubborn Prestwich Heys defence.

In the 96th minute the Islanders found a breakthrough - a Whitley corner from the right was half-cleared to Ryan Burns whose scuffed effort fell to Maitland just inside the penalty area who - with his back to goal - squeezed a low effort through several players and in off the post to rescue Paul Jones' side a draw.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be against South Liverpool on Saturday, 22 March, at The Bowl in Douglas, kicking off at 6pm.

Man of the Match: Takura Sambizi (Prestwich Heys)