Last season’s Grand Slam winners drop more points in Canada Life Premier League
ST George’s dropped further behind early Canada Life Premier League pace-setters Laxey on Wednesday evening as they were held to a 3-3 draw by promoted Union Mills at Glencrutchery Road.
The Miners’ made it four wins out of four thanks to a 5-2 win over DHSOB at Glen Road. On target for the league leaders were Jackson Brown, Mark Wolfenden, his eighth of the season, Danny Foulis, Max Murley and an own goal.
The result leaves Steve Falconer’s men six points clear of St Mary’s who maintained their 100 per cent record with a 5-2 win over St John’s at the Bowl. The Saints raced into a five-goal leads thanks to a hat-trick from the prolific Steven Priestnal, skipper Dominic McGreevy and Marc Priestnal. Andy and Stephen Glover hit St John’s second-half consolations, the latter from the penalty spot.
Peel triumphed 1-4 away at western rivals Marown. Three goals in four first-half minutes put Peel on the course to victory, Chris Cain, Lee Gale and Marc Kelly finding the back of the net for Rick Holden’s charges. Liam Harrison extended the Sunset City side’s advantage before former Peel midfielder Gary Christian reduced the arrears for the Crosby hosts in the 76th minute.
Ramsey kick-started their Canada Life Premier League campaign with their first point of the season after drawing 1-1 against Rushen. In the pre-match programme notes, newly-installed manager Brian Carney wrote warmly about Ramsey AFC as a club, and although the northerners were strongly tipped to slide through the top-flight’s trap door this season, a point on Wednesday evening is a step in the right direction to avoid the dreaded drop.
Both sides struggled to get into their footballing groove in the first 45 minutes. Jason Saxon had a free-kick that was punched clear and had a long-range effort tipped over the crossbar, before the lively Michael Fernandes came close for the hosts when his angled effort was well parried by Rushen shot-stopper Tom Strivens.
The southerners edged the possession in the opening throes and on 30 minutes took the lead. Ted Pepper’s long throw-in was cleared to Gareth Lloyd who wormed his way past blue and white shirts before rounding goalkeeper Kiril Velev to slot in the opening goal.
Ramsey equalised just before half-time. Kris Halsall pushing a diagonal through-ball for Fernandes who coolly converted the leveller. The hosts finished the first half the stronger and Liam Parker forced a good save from Strivens before Fernandes had a header cleared off the line.
The second half was more end-to-end, but neither side could add to their scoreline. Velev was the busier of the two goalkeepers - Saxon came close striking the crossbar, Aaron Hawley and Furo Davies forcing the northern shot-stopper to pull off excellent saves.
Ramsey had their moments too - Kris Halsall had a long-range effort hit the crossbar, while Mark Slinger had an effort from distance well saved by Strivens.
After the final whistle, a share of the spoils was a fair result.
The points were also shared at Tromode where Gymns and Castletown played out a 2-2 draw. Luke Fisher and summer signing Ste Cretney were on target for Ken Hedley’s hosts.
Wednesday, September 5
Canada Life Premier League
Laxey 5-2 DHSOB
St George’s 3-3 Union Mills
Ramsey 1-1 Rushen
Marown 1-4 Peel
Gymns 2-2 Castletown
St Mary’s 5-2 St John’s
Canada Life Combination One
DHSOB 1-3 Laxey
Union Mills 2-1 St George’s
Rushen 0-4 Ramsey
Peel 3-1 Marown
Castletown 2-2 Gymns
St John’s 2-3 St Mary’s