St Mary’s closed the gap at the top of the Canada Life Premier League after edging past rivals Corinthians by the odd goal in five at the Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
There’s was no doubting the star of the show as Darren Hudgeon helped himself to a hat-trick for the hosts, while the Whites’ consolations came via Stephen Whitley and Sean Doyle.
Leaders Peel came from two goals down to rescue a point in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Old Firm rivals Rushen United at Douglas Road.
Dom McGreevy gave the Premier League leaders the advantage only for a brace from Dan Hattersley, including one from the penalty spot, to put the Spaniards ahead at the break.
Hattersley completed his hat-trick midway through the second 45 with a fine free-kick.
However, Peel pushed for a way back into the encounter and the in-form Rhys Oates’s deflected free-kick did just that 10 minutes later.
The hosts continued to strive for a leveller and this came in dramatic fashion in stoppage time. Sub Johnny Shields won the ball in midfield and fed it wide. In came the cross from the right, which was met by Kerron Christian at the back post. His header evaded the dive of Dean Kearns in the Rushen goal and denied United a league double over the westerners.
The shock result of the day came at Blackberry Lane where Douglas Royal stunned DHSOB with a superb 6-2 victory to move away from the relegation zone.
Taylor Andrews starred for the visitors with a well-taken hat-trick and he was joined on the scoresheet by Dan Smith, Jamie Agnew and Chris Anderson. Matty Kent-Lloyd and James McStay netted for Old Boys.
Laxey remain rooted to the bottom of the table after they were beaten 3-2 away at Douglas Athletic. The Pinks came from behind to claim the points thanks to a brace from Martin Cowan plus a James Aire strike, while the Miners’ goals came from Joe Walters and Chris Asbridge.
St John’s put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Castletown. Jamie Crook and Harry Rothwell both helped themselves to braces, while no details of Castletown’s scorers are available.
RYCOB’s unbeaten start to the JCK Division Two season came to abrupt end as the northern bragging rights went the way of Ramsey who claimed a fine 4-1 win at Ballacloan.
Martin Torr helped himself to a brace for the hosts and was joined on the scoresheet by his son Cameron and Ryan Kinrade, while Youthie’s goal was scored by Marc Faragher.
Pulrose United were in rampant form once again as they fired eight past Gymns at Springfield Road.
Marc Priestnal led the way with a four-goal haul while his brother and player/manager Ste Priestnal also netted twice. Owen Canipa and Jacob Thomas completed the scoring for the Reds, while Adam Johnson scored a brace for Gymns.
Onchan’s top-four hopes received a blow at home to Colby as they lost 2-3 at the Nivison Stadium. James Kerruish and Conor Dempsey netted for the Os, but Ste McIntosh came back to haunt his former club with two goals for Colby while Ash Blake completed the scoring.
In the only other game to go ahead in the second division, Kyle Uren was the star of the show as he helped himself to five goals as Union Mills brushed aside Governor’s Athletic 8-2 at Bemahague.
Saturday, December 8
Canada Life Premier League
DHSOB 2-6 Douglas Royal
Douglas Athletic 3-2 Laxey
St Mary’s 3-2 Corinthians
Peel 3-3 Rushen Utd
St John’s 4-2 Castletown
JCK Division Two
Onchan 2-3 Colby
Pulrose 8-2 Gymns
Malew P-P Foxdale
Ramsey 4-1 Rycob
Ayre Utd P-P Douglas and District
Governor’s Athletic 2-8 Union Mills
Canada Life Combination One
Douglas Royal P-P DHSOB
Laxey 5-3 Douglas Athletic
Corinthians 4-5 St Mary’s
Rushen Utd 3-2 Peel
Marown 3-4 Braddan
Castletown 2-7 St John’s
JCK Combination Two
Colby 2-4 Onchan
Gymns 4-4 Pulrose Utd
Foxdale P-P Malew
Rycob P-P Ramsey
Douglas and District 4-1 Ayre Utd
Union Mills 2-1 Governor’s Athletic