Ten-man Ravens battle to beat Padiham

Booth scores stunner as FC Isle of Man hold on for win

FC Isle of Man claimed their first win of October with a 2-1 victory over in-form Padiham in the NWCFL Premier Division this evening (12 October).

The visitors led in the eighth minute when Isle of Man goalkeeper Adam Killey turned into his own net from a Lee Pugh long throw from the left.

Luke Booth's stunning 25-yard volley levelled for the Manx side after 39 minutes before Jacob Crook's cross-come-shot after 60 minutes put the Island outfit in front.

Paul Jones' side then managed to grind out the remaining minutes despite seeing Jack McVey shown a straight red card for a professional foul with 89 minutes played.

Tonight's contest pitted an FC Isle of Man side hoping to avoid a third straight defeat against a visiting Padiham in imperious form and unbeaten in their last ten.

It didn't take the away side long to take the lead but they did so in bizarre circumstances on eight minutes.

An arrowed long throw from Pugh on the left sailed over everyone in the FC Isle of Man six-yard area, including Killey who could only get a fingertip to the ball as it rose over him into the top corner.

FC Isle of Man's initial response to going behind was largely uninspired as a disciplined Padiham defence stood firm.

It would take a moment of magic for the hosts to level things up with eight minutes of normal time remaining in the first period.

A Ravens' corner from the left was half-cleared to the edge of the box with Booth controlling before unleashing a dipping 25-yard volley beyond a rooted Matthew Hamnett in the Padiham goalmouth.

At the start of the second half, Padiham began to apply the pressure but found themselves behind against the run of play on the hour mark.

FC Isle of Man's Crook found space on the left flank before cutting inside on his right foot with his resulting cross-come-shot firing into Hamnett's top left-hand corner.

Three minutes after Padiham were nearly back on terms as a mix-up in the FC Isle of Man backline between Alex Maitland and McVey allowed Jakob Hebda to race through one-on-one before he dragged a shot wide of the post.

As the minutes ebbed away late on, the nerves in 'The Ravens' camp were raised as they went down to ten men with a minute of normal time left.

McVey wrestled Hebda down and initially - to everyone's confusion - referee Ciaran Williams sent off FC Isle of Man substitute Jamie Corlett for a professional foul.

However this was soon corrected with McVey dismissed with this followed quickly by Padiham coach Cameron Foster also being given his marching orders from the opposition dugout for a verbal altercation with the officials.

Despite the man advantage for a lengthy period of second-half stoppage time, Padiham were unable to do enough to claw a result in the dying moments to see Paul Jones' home side hang in for their first three points of October.

FC Isle of Man's next match will be away against Longridge Town on Saturday, 19 October, kicking-off at 3pm.

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