Corinthians maintained their quest for Friends Provident FA Cup glory after seeing off the spirited challenge of Laxey at the Bowl on Saturday evening.

The Whites raced into an early lead at the national stadium thanks to Tom Callister who fired home in the 11th minute.

That lead was doubled eight minutes later when in-form striker Sean Doyle rose highest to head home Dan Simpson’s cross to put the Ballafletcher outfit firmly in control of the tie.

Any hopes of a Laxey comeback were dashed only two minutes into the second half when the Whites further increased their advantage courtesy of the impressive Luke Murray whose downwards header was adjudged to have crossed the line.

It soon became four when Murray burst forward and laid the ball off to the lively Stephen Whitley’s whose low shot was saved but the rebound fell straight to Doyle who grabbed his second of the afternoon.

Laxey refused to give up and were rewarded with a deserved goal shortly after the hour mark when Stan Manning stole the ball in opposition territory and drove goalwards before firing home for the Miners.

However, the goal proved a mere consolation for the Glen Road side as Corinthians were able to see out the remainder of the game to emerge 4-1 winners and advance to the next round.

Elsewhere on yet another Saturday football programme significantly affected by the poor weather, the FA Cup clashes between St John’s v Castletown and Ramsey v Braddan were both postponed.

There was some thrilling action in the GH Corlett Woods Cup though, with goals galore in both the first round and the quarter-finals.

In a rollercoaster match at Noble’s Park, Ben Hall was the hero for Douglas and District as they saw off the challenge of Ayre United in a nine-goal thriller.

Hall struck a hat-trick as D&D let a three-goal lead slip before striking late to seal their place in the semi-finals, with Daniel Stewart-Clague and Daniel Robson also getting their names on the scoresheet.

In the preliminary round, Union Mills shocked RYCOB at Garey Mooar and there was no doubting the star of the show as Colm Garrity scored a hat-trick for the Millers to send his side through to the quarter-finals. Youthie’s response came via an own goal.

Pulrose United comfortable saw off the challenge of Malew by five goals to one at Clagh Vane.

Marc Priestnal and Jacob Thomas led the way for Pully as they both scored braces and were joined on the scoresheet by Barry English, Dale Walker netting Malew’s consolation against his former club.

There was also no shortage of goals in the Canada Life Premier League in the early kickoff at the Bowl where DHSOB and St Mary’s played out a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Player-manager Alex Harrison scored twice and further goals from Nathan Halsall and John Hagerdon put the Saints in a commanding position, only for Old Boys to mount a stirring comeback as goals from Callum Stewart, Craig Stewart, Gary Quirk and James McStay earned a share of the points.

In the only other top flight match, Douglas Athletic took a big step towards Premier League safety as they beat Douglas Royal at Springfield Road.

Mikey Callister put the Pinks ahead in the very first minute of the clash and the hosts doubled their advantage in the second half through in-form striker Martin Cowan, before Royal grabbed a late consolation.

In the sole JCK Division Two game on Saturday afternoon, Michael United recorded just their second victory of the season thanks to a 5-2 success at home to Governor’s Athletic.

Damian Owen led the way for the westerners as he helped himself to a hat-trick before goals from Mark Tully and Dean Wales sealed the three points for the Balleira Road outfit to move them up to 11th in the table.

Football results from Saturday, February 17:

Friends Provident FA Cup first round

Corinthians 4-1 Laxey

GH Corlett Woods Cup first round

Malew 1-5 Pulrose United

Union Mills 3-1 RYCOB

GH Corlett Woods Cup quarter-final

Douglas and District 5-4 Ayre Utd

Canada Life Premier League

Douglas Athletic 2-1 Douglas Royal

DHSOB 4-4 St Mary’s

JCK Division Two

Michael Utd 5-2 Governor’s Athletic

Canada Life Combination One

Peel 2-0 Corinthians

St George’s 8-3 Colby

Rushen 5-0 Laxey

JCK Combination Two

Foxdale 2-2 Michael

RYCOB 7-2 Pulrose United

Governor’s Athletic 1-7 Marown

Onchan 3-1 Union Mills