One goal in each half gave a strong Sheffield and Hallamshire side the spoils from the annual knockout competition's second round tie, dashing Manx hopes of bettering last season's semi-final appearance.

The fixture itself looked in jeopardy before a ball had even been kicked in anger.

Friday evening's Four Nations rugby league contest between England and France in the south Yorkshire town denied the Manx youngsters the opportunity to strut their stuff on the hallowed turf of the main pitch at the Keepmoat Stadium.

This meant a switch of venue to the adjacent and equally smart 500-seater athletics stadium.

However, some miscommunication between the host FA and the resident groundskeeper meant the pitch at the tie's new venue was marked out for rugby not football.

With the hosts unable to remark the pitch, and after an anxious wait, the decision was made to play the game on another slightly smaller training pitch on the impressive Keepmoat sporting complex.

The hour and 20 minute delay seemed to do little to knock Kevin Manning's young side out of their stride as they made a bright and encouraging start to the encounter.

It was, however, the home team that had the tie's first real opportunity when Stephen Atkinson volleyed narrowly wide from a free-kick from the right.

At the other end of the pitch, Castletown's Dan Hattersley threatened to trouble the scorers, but he was denied a good connection on Liam Doyle's cross from the left by impressive home skipper Nick Galloway.

Hattersley and Doyle linked up to good effect just minutes later when the former's strong tackle fed the St Mary's man out wide on the left.

Again the Manx winger produced a good cross into the box where Laxey's Fraser Vaughan was lurking. Sadly for the increasingly vocal travelling support he side-footed wide from eight yards to let Sheffield off the hook.

The Canada Life-sponsored side's good spell continued and Vaughan was again presented with a good opportunity when he was played in by strike partner Hattersley's clever through-ball.

The 17-year-old hit a well-struck shot goalwards only to be denied by the feet of home keeper Jake Ball who was one of several star Sheffield turns on the day.

As the first half neared its conclusion, Mel Woodhall's hosts enjoyed a good spell. First only a fine covering tackle by St George's Cameron Lee denied Atkinson a clear path to goal, before Askern Villa midfielder Craig Aspinall shot over from the edge of the area after a mazy run from deep.

Steve Corlett and IoM captain Andrew Crennell did their best to stem the Sheffield tide, but on the stroke of half-time the English side edged in front when Atkinson picked up the pieces to shoot in after a free-kick from deep deceived the visiting defence.

Sheffield visibly lifted their game at the start of the second period as the excellent Aspinall's influence began to grow in midfield.
That's not to say the Isle of Man didn't have chances to draw level – Doyle squared the ball across the edge of the Sheffield area after a determined run to the by-line.

Industrious Corinthians' midfield man Danny Gerrard met the cross but his first-time shot skewed wide in the wet conditions.

Striker Matt Dolan was next to go close for Sheffield as the hosts' grip on the game strengthened.

The Isle of Man searched for a way back into the encounter, but a well-marshalled backline, plus a confident midfield display from Woodhall's teenagers meant the Manx were generally kept at arm's length.

With the clock ticking down, the IoM continued to plug away and hopes of equaliser were raised when substitute Lee Sum and Andrew Chadwick combined to give Hattersley a sniff at goal.

However, Ball was again up to the task as he extinguished the threat with a fine smothering save at the feet of the Manx forward.

Just three minutes later Sheffield effectively wrapped up the tie when Galloway rose unmarked to nod in Ashley Gray's free-kick from out wide on the left.

To their credit the Manx continued to plug away in the game's remaining few minutes and perhaps were unlucky not to get a consolation for their efforts with both Hattersley and Doyle going close to breaking their team's duck late on.

However, Sheffield held firm to seal a third round tie against Worcestershire in the competition's next round, while the Manx will now have to look forward to next season's competition and with only four of the weekend's squad ineligible for that, they will no doubt come back a stronger proposition for it.

TEAM CHECK
Sheffield and Hallamshire Jake Ball, Lewis Carr, Ashley Gray, Rhys Bailey, Nick Galloway, Josh Gribbons (Steven Garner 84m), Reece Cahill (Aaron Worsford 45m), Craig Aspinall, Matt Dolan, Stephen Atkinson, Jake Symon. Subs not used David White, Alex Wileman, John Donnelly.

Isle of Man Alex Hillard, Steve Corlett (Sam Taylor 73m), Ruairi Mooney (Lee Sum 63m), Andrew Crennell, Cameron Lee, Andrew Chadwick, Gary Thomas (Matthew Skillicorn 84m), Dan Hattersley, Fraser Vaughan, Dan Gerrard, Liam Doyle. Subs not used Sean Moffatt, Aiden Cummins.

Referee Gavin Hock (West Riding)
Assistants I. Smellie, D. Lamport (West Riding)
Booked Vaughan, Doyle (Isle of Man)
Man of the Match Galloway (Sheff and Hallam)
Match rating 3*