Clean sheets were the order of the day - or days - in the Canada Life Premier League at the weekend, with four of the five matches providing shutouts.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that the latest Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week features plenty of defensive-minded players, as well as some of the island’s leading attackers. While the majority of the weekend’s game featured clean sheets, there was no shortage of goals, with 20 being scored across the reduced fixture list.

Ironically though, it’s one of the players that conceded on Saturday that actually claims the coveted TotW goalkeeping gloves this week. That honour goes to Rushen United’s Dean Kearns who, despite being on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat at home to champions St George’s, produced several excellent saves to prevent a bigger scoreline.

Two other players to impress in that match at Croit Lowey were on the opposite team in the shape of St George’s duo Johnny Myers and Lewis Bridson.

Myers were in unbeatable form in the centre of the Saints defence as he won everything that came his way and successfully thwarted the Rushen attack. Bridson belied his tender years with a mature and composed performance at full-back for the champions, playing a crucial role in keeping a clean sheet.

Slotting in alongside the Geordies duo in a five-man defence are Alex Harrison, Robbie Ward and Daniel Pennington who all impressed for their respective sides.

St Mary’s player/manager Harrison continued his comeback from injury with an influential performance in defence for the Bowl outfit as his side overcame a potentially tricky away tie under the floodlights at St John’s on Friday night, grabbing a goal to earn his first TotW call-up this season.

Pennington, meanwhile, was instrumental in helping Douglas Athletic maintain their excellent start to the campaign with a 3-0 win away at Castletown, a result which leaves the Pinks flying high in second in the table.

Ward continued his fine start to the 2018-19 season with a man-of-the-match performance for DHSOB as Liam Buckley’s men overcame the spirited challenge of Marown at the Memorial Playing Fields, helping his side claim a 3-2 win.

Also catching the eye of Eric Clague’s ratings panel in that match was Cian Geoghegan who enjoyed a fine game in the middle of the park to help the Blackberry Lane side claim a vital three points in their quest for Railway Cup qualification. Joining him in a midfield quartet are St Mary’s playmaker and utility man Jack McVey alongside Corinthians winger Dan Simpson and Douglas Athletic’s Martin Cowan.

Yet again showcasing his versatility, McVey was pushed further forward into midfield following the return of team-mate Harrison and duly ran the show with a man of the match performance at Mullen-e-Cloie.

As such, he claims his fourth Team of the Week call-up already this season, a feat which is only matched by Simpson who stole the show for Corinthians, grabbing a goal and helping the Whites brush aside near-neighbours Douglas Royal 6-0 in a Ballafletcher derby.

Cowan dropped back to play in an unfamiliar midfield role at The Stadium and duly helped the Pinks claim that aforementioned 3-0 which keeps his side well placed to qualify for the Railway Cup.

Scoring half of the goals in Ballafletcher derby was Sean Doyle who helped himself to a hat-trick, therefore it’s no surprise to see him take his place in TotW for the second time this season.

Sharing the refereeing honours this week are two officials who impressed in the middle, with Stuart Kneen excelling during the Rushen v Geordies match while Jamie Turpin caught the eye in the all Saints battle at St John’s.

Team of the Week

Goalkeeper

Dean Kearns (Rushen United)

Team of the Week apps: 1

Defence

Lewis Bridson (St George’s) TotW apps: 2

Alex Harrison (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 1

Johnny Myers (St George’s) TotW apps: 2

Robbie Ward (DHSOB) TotW apps: 2

Daniel Pennington

(Douglas Athletic) TotW apps: 1

Midfield

Jack McVey (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 4

Cian Geoghegan (DHSOB) TotW apps: 1

Dan Simpson (Corinthians) TotW apps: 4

Martin Cowan (Douglas Athletic)

TotW apps: 1

Attack

Sean Doyle (Corinthians) TotW apps: 2

Referees of the Week

Stuart Kneen (Rushen v St George’s)

James Turpin (St John’s v St Mary’s)

RotW apps: 1