THE Canada Life Premier League’s only 100 per cent record came to an end on Saturday as St Mary’s were beaten 2-3 by Peel in an entertaining fixture at the Bowl.
Both sides held the lead at one stage or another in the match, but it was a goal three minutes from time by western substitute Neil Birchenough that ensured his team would be heading back down the A1 with all three points.
The Saints, who had won their opening three top-flight matches of the season, fell behind on the stroke of half-time when Peel striker Kerron Christian headed in to give his side a deserved lead.
Rick Holden’s westerners continued this momentum into the second period, but found themselves pegged back when Marc Priestnal took advantage of some hesitant Peel defending to side-foot home at the second time of asking.
As Peel reeled, the Saints took advantage the prolific Steven Priestnal despatching a cool finish past visiting keeper Stuart Morris to put his side in front with 60 minutes played.
The match’s momentum then swung again and Christian kept a cool head to sweep in his second of the match from the edge of the St Mary’s area after Daniel Bell’s centre was only half cleared.
As the game entered is final throes it began to open up – Peel taking advantage through replacement Birchenough to slot in a late, late winner.
Sam Kenny’s home side had been tipped at the season’s onset to be among the title contenders come May. A run of three straight victories reinforced this theory.
Peel, back under the management of Rick Holden, are also expected to feature in the division’s higher reaches and not unexpectedly a tight match developed between the two.
Gradually the westerners began to move into the ascendancy, but despite some good spells of possession they struggled to turn their pressure into chances.
At the other end of the pitch St Mary’s continued to look to the pace of their frontmen, Steven and Marc Priestnal, but with Rob Cottier in dominant form at the back for the visitors the Saints struggles to line up with their prolific front line.
Peel were unlucky not to have a penalty awarded in their favour when Christian was seemingly brought down in the Saints box, but referee David Murphy and assistant Peter Crompton waved away the fervent western appeals.
Holden’s didn’t dwell on the decision too long and finished the half in determined fashion forcing St Mary’s into a goal-line clearance before taking the lead with a well-worked goal.
Andrew Crennell found winger Lee Gale down the right. Gale in turn picked out the overlapping run of full back Kevin Megson who swung in a peach of a cross that Christian rose highest to nod home.
The half-time break did little to put the westerners out of their stride and only a good block from St Mary’s skipper Dominic McGreevey denied Daniel Bell’s stinging volley.
However, slightly against the run of play, the Saints found themselves level when the Peel defence were slow to react to a long St Mary’s free-kick deep into the box. Marc Priestnal latched onto the ball firing a volley goalwards. Peel keeper Stuart Morris repelled the striker’s initial effort before he tapped in the rebound to restore parity to the match.
The goal lifted the Saints spirits and they took the lead just four minutes later when Steven Priestnal latched onto a sumptuous Brian Crellin through-ball before slotting a trademark finish past Morris.
Peel tried to hit back and Matthew Woods saw an effort deflected just wide.
With McGreevey and Connor Gorman leading a stubborn Saints rearguard action, the home support would have begun to contemplate a fourth straight win, especially when Crellin nearly added an ambitious chip from distance only for former Pulrose keeper Morris to recover and palm the ball away.
However, the match was to take another twist as it entered it’s final 15 minutes.
Bell sling in a cross from the left that was only cleared as far as the edge of the box by the Saints defence. Christian taking advantage to thread the ball past Max Thomas and bring his side level.
The momentum was now with the visitors and Birchenough sent a flicked header from another Bell cross narrowly ashy.
The injury prone striker then went one better, sealing the spoils for his side after he muscled his way through the St Mary’s defence before slotting past Thomas after the island number one had done well to save the Peel striker’s initial effort.
Team check
St Mary’s Max Thomas, Harry Weatherill, Stephen Whitley, Dominic McGreevey ©, Connor Gorman, Tom Weir, James Murphy (Craig Murphy 55m), Chris Anderson, Steven Priestnal, Brian Crellin (Joesphy Andrews 89m), Marc Priestnal. Sub not used JJ Balanda.
Peel Stuart Morris, Kevin Megson, Daniel Lace, Rob Cottier ©, Andrew Crennell, Lee Gale, Chris Cain, Marc Kelly, Kerron Christian, Daniel Bell, Matthew Woods (Neil Birchenough 74m). Subs not used Johnny Cain and Liam Harrison.
Referee David Murphy
Assistants Tommy Crowe and Peter Crompton.
Booked M. Priesntal (St Mary’s); Gale (Peel).
Man of the Match Cottier (Peel) Captain led from the back as westerners fought back to claim impressive win.
Match rating 4*