Geordies back to their best
BIG WIN: St Georges winger Sam Caine (centre) surges goalwards during his sides 6-1 win over Laxey at Glen Road on Saturday
ST George’s sent a signal of intent to the rest of the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday with a crushing 1-6 win over early season leaders Laxey at Glen Road.
A ruthless second-half display by Chris Bass Sr’s side ultimately proved the difference between the two teams, the Glencrutchery Road outfit finding the back of the Miners’ net no less than five times through Frank Jones (2), Chris Bass Jr, Sam Caine and Ciaran McNulty to secure the three points that returns last campaign’s Grand Slam winners back to the top-flight’s summit.
The second period was in stark contrast to the first, which was an even affair that ended 1-1 after Calum Morrissey and Shaun Kelly had netted within a minute of each other.
The Manx El Clasico lived up to its top billing in the first half as both sides enjoyed chances to take the lead. Geordies edged proceedings during an absorbing opening to the contest at a sun-kissed Glen Road and Johnny Myers and Chris Bass Jr both went close from distance as the visitors took advantage of a shaky start by Steve Falconer’s home side.
However, despite missing the talents of summer signings Andy Perry and Paul Rowley, plus reigning IoMFA Player of the Year Ashley Webster the Miners began to get a foot-hold in the match as the latter’s replacement Shaun Kelly’s influence began to grow.
The former RYCOB and Ayre targetman strength and power in the air was becoming a real problem for the Geordies’ backline, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 33rd minute.
A lovely move down the left saw Bass Jr find the well-timed run of full-back Julian Ringham. The island international in turn picked out Morrissey who slotted home from just inside the Laxey area.
Geordies’ lead lasted just over a minute before Laxey hit back through the impressive Kelly with a towering header.
Kelly’s goal sparked a frenetic close to the period and the visitors went close to restoring their lead when McNulty’s header was scrambled off the Laxey line.
The Glencrutchery Road outfit’s strong finish to the opening 45 continued into the second half. Jones forced Laxey keeper Paul Gerrard into a fine save from distance but the latter’s save only denied the former St Mary’s midfielder momentarily as he rose well to head in Bass Jr’s corner from the right.
Geordies doubled their lead just two minutes later - Sam Caine scoring a fine individual goal after embarking on a driving run from just the halfway line.
The one-way traffic continued, Jones scoring a spectacular half-volley from distance to all but seal St George’s ninth Premier League victory over Laxey in just 11 encounters.
August player of the month Mark Wolfenden headed just over, but that was as close as Falconer’s men came to arresting their capitulation as St George’s bagged a fifth in the 69th minute.
A throw in from the left was flicked on by skipper Sean Quaye and Bass Jr was on hand to nod in a rare headed goal from a matter of yards out.
The Miners’ misery was completed just three minutes later when they conceded a soft penalty that Golden Boot holder McNulty coolly slotted home to add further gloss to the scoreline.
At the other end of pitch Wolfenden again threatened to reduce the arrears only to be denied by a smart save by Grant Dawson.
Geordies perhaps should have added more to their tally in the fixture’s final 15 minutes as they continued to carve open the reeling Laxey defence. Myers fired narrowly over from distance, before James McStay headed over. Substitute Rhys Thompson went event closer when he found the post in resolute fashion after latching onto McStay’s centre from the right.
With ‘Mumpsgate‘ now a fading memory, the emphatic nature of St George’s victory must surely install them as favourites once again to lift a third Premier League crown in a row.
Team check
Laxey: Paul Gerrard, Gary Williams, Ryan Williamson (Danny Oram), Sam Theobald, Neil Brogan (c), Max Murley (John Callow), Danny Foulis, Jackson Brown, Josh Thomas (Michael Haslett), Mark Wolfenden, Shaun Kelly.
St George’s: Grant Dawson, Liam Cowin (Stuart Morris), Julian Ringham, Johnny Myers, Sean Quaye (c), Sam Caine (Mark Teare), Frank Jones, James McStay, Chris Bass Jr, Ciaran McNulty (Rhys Thompson), Calum Morrissey.
Referee: Alan Cowin
Assistants: Mark Thomas and Tommy Crowe
Booked: Callow, Theobald (Laxey)
Man of the Match: Jones (St George’s) midfielder underlined his potency in the final third with a well-taken brace
Match rating: 5*
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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