Peel win Old Firm thriller
MATCH OF THE DAY: Peels Kerron Christian (left) and Rushen youngster Alex Maitland go for the ball in Saturdays thrilling Old Firm clash at Douglas Road. The westerners won the Canada Life Premier League match 5-4 thanks to four second-half goals
A SUPERB second-half performance, during which they scored four times, helped Peel collect all three points against Old Firm rivals Rushen at Douglas Road on Saturday.
During a match that had more twists and turns than the plot of an Agatha Christie thriller, the large crowd were treated to a Canada Life Premier League contest that held their attention all the way to referee Ian Fisher’s final whistle.
Both sides, however, began the game cautiously and neither was able to create a clear scoring opportunity until Jack Saxon rifled a fine effort into the Peel side netting.
The first real opportunity though fell to the exciting Mike Williams after he was played in by Steve Riding, but the former Castletown youngster’s effort failed to find the target.
The scoreline remained un-broken until after the midway point of the half when, following an inter-change between Marc Kelly and Lee Gale, the latter raced clear to beat Rushen keeper Tom Strivens.
The westerners lead, however, lasted for just seven minutes as Peel failed to properly clear a corner allowing Ciaran Brown the chance to drive home an equaliser from the edge of the box.
Then just before the interval the visitors took the lead when a Saxon shot was parried by new Peel keeper Stuart Fayle allowing the alert Michael Baker the chance to stab home the rebound.
Rick Holden’s side began the second half on the front foot but once again they failed to create a clear scoring opportunity.
At the other end Riding then delivered another superb ball into the box which Williams appeared to guide home to increase the southerners’ advantage.
But within moments the scoreline had changed again when Gale fed a clever ball into the area which Kerron Christian despatched with aplomb.
The goal inspired the westerners’ and the lively John Kelly seized his opportunity to plant an equaliser into the top corner of the Rushen net.
But back came the Spaniards as skipper Aaron Hawley outsmarted a hesitant home defence before firing his side 4-3 up.
The play went from end to end and when the highly promising Andy Crennell delivered an inviting free-kick into the Rushen box that Rob Cottier guided home well. With their tails up the red and whites drove forward and Danny Bell produced a prefect free-kick which presented Crennell with the chance to head home a remarkable winner.
Gale could, in fact, have made it six late on, but his fine header brought out an equally impressive save from keeper Strivens.
TEAM CHECK
Peel: Stuart Fayle, John Kelly, Daniel Lace, Andrew Crennell, Rob Cottier, Kevin Megson (Stephen Tidy) Matty Woods, Lee Gale, Danny Bell, Marc Kelly, Kerron Christian.
Rushen: Tom Strivens, Alex Maitland, Alex Guy, Adam Cregeen (Gareth Lloyd) Michael Baker, Jack Saxon (Daniel Oates) Stephen Riding, Ciaran Brown (Neil Curphey) Jordan Watterson, Michael Williams, Aaron Hawley.
Referee Ian Fisher; -Handled a tricky encounter well by trying to avoid over-imposing himself on the game.
Assistants: John Lovelady and Michael Crabtree.
Man of the Match Cottier (Peel) A good solid game at the back as well as producing a cleverly taken goal.
Match rating: 4*
Attendance: 177
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Weather for Isle of Man
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
