Ellan Vannin got their ConIFA World Football Cup off to a winning start with a 4-1 victory over Cascadia on Thursday afternoon.

The biennial tournament kicked off in earnest with several games being played simultaneously at various venues around London, with the Manx team beginning their campaign at the 5,000-capacity home of Sutton United.

Corinthians winger Stephen Whitley fired Ellan Vannin into a 15th-minute lead when he drove home an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box.

However, their lead only lasted three minutes as Cascadia’s Josh Doughty slotted home from close range after good work down the left wing.

Chris Bass Sr’s charges restored their lead four minutes before half-time when Sean Doyle showed good perseverance down the left before delivering a low cross which captain Frank Jones turned home inside the box.

After the break, the North American team enjoyed a good spell but two stunning, quickfire goals put Ellan Vannin firmly in control. First, St George’s Sam Caine intercepted a pass inside his own half and embarked on a superb mazy run through the heart of the Cascadia team before coolly firing home with the outside of his boot.

Then his Geordies team-mate Jack McVey produced a brilliant free-kick, curling the ball into the top-left corner of the goal from more than 30 yards out to make it 4-1.

With the result secure, Ellan Vannin took their foot off the gas and were able to comfortably able to see out the remainder of the game.