Saints seal Railway Cup spots; champs demolish Peel

St Mary’s and St John’s sealed the final spots in the Railway Cup with convincing wins on Saturday.

But it was the champions St George’s who produced the shock of the day, demolishing Peel 8-1 to wreck the westerners’ own qualification hopes.

Doubles from Frank Jones and Ciaran McNulty, one apiece from Callum Morrissey and Reece Thompson and a stunning free-kick from Johnny Myers inflicted embarrassment on Peel at Glencrutchery Road.

All this after an own goal inside the opening minutes set the holders on their way.

Lee Gale provided the only bright spot for Peel.

A last-gasp winner from Robert McCowliff kept Laxey on their heels in the Canada Life Premier League.

That sealed a fine 2-1 success at Rushen after the Miners’ Mark Wolfenden and Chris Shimmin had traded goals.

St Mary’s went on the rampage at the Bowl to cement third spot and that Railway Cup spot.

After a goalless opening 28 minutes, Steven Priestnal pounced on a defensive mistake to spark the floodgates.

He went onto score five with cool composed finishes.

Brian Crellin capped a fine game with a hat-trick, while the lively Marc Priestnal chipped in with two in an impressive team showing by Sam Kenny’s side.

St John’s sealed the fourth and final Railway Cup spot for the first time in their history after winning 6-1 at bottom club Marown.

A shock looked on the cards when St John’s were reduced to 10 men early on but, despite being pegged back to 1-1, they were too strong for the Crosby side.

Nick Hurt (two), Steven Glover (two), John Wrigley and Jamie Moffitt grabbed their goals with Michael Wheeler the Marown marksman from the penalty spot.

Ramsey clinched what could be three vital points in the relegation battle at the Stadium.

Second half goals from Brago Smilyanov and Martin Torr ensured the northerners closed the gap on Castletown to a point and returned home with maximum points.

In the final top-flight game, a late goal from Ian Drake earned Union Mills a point as they fought back from 2-0 down to draw at home with Corinthians.

Lewis Griffiths and Jamie Stoy had put the visitors in the ascendancy before Chris Kelly reduced the arrears and Drake pounced to earn a point.