A second-half Sid Batty strike ensured the Isle of Man FA’s men’s team beat Widnes FC 1-0 at the Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Playing their first match since last month’s inter-island football tournament, manager Paul Jones took the opportunity to blood some more youngsters in his senior side.

The island team put in another impressive performance, but couldn’t convert their chances to add to their one-goal advantage.

Isle of Man came close in the first half to breaking the deadlock when Ashley Higginbotham’s shot was well-saved and Daniel Simpson’s close-range header was narrowly off target.

Rhys Oates also had a glorious chance, the Widnes keeper doing well to save from six yards as the match remained goal-less at half-time.

After the break, Stephen Whitley came close with a speculative strike that went wide.

At the other end of the pitch island keeper Matty Quirk was called into action to pull off a couple of saves.

With the hosts continuing to press forward, the deserved breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute.

Lee Gale’s throw-in was received by Man-of-the-Match contender Alex Maitland and he played a through-ball which released the Peel winger. Gale’s centre resulted in a Widnes player heading back across goal. This found substitute Batty on the post and although his initial shot was parried, the St George’s midfielder converted the follow-up.

Quirk was again called into action shortly after, but the friendly’s better chances continued to fall to the Manx.

The best of these came when 16-year-old Sam Baines’s low shot was denied by the visiting goalkeeper at full stretch in the closing stages.

Second-half replacement Baines became the first Onchan player to represent the island since Johnny Gartland lined up for the FA side in July 1986.

IoM v Widnes: Matthew Quirk, Alex Maitland, Ryan Burns (Connor Birch 69m), Alex Harrison, Ashley Higginbotham (H-T Sid Batty), Matt Woods (Jack Camarda 60m), Frank Jones, Lee Gale, Rhys Oates (Luke Murray 60m), Stephen Whitley (Sam Baines 69m), Daniel Simpson (Jacob Crook 60m).

Paul Hatton

l The Isle of Man’s pre-season fixtures continue this weekend when Welsh second-tier outfit Flint Town visit for two games.

The first of these takes place at the Bowl on Friday evening, kicking off at 7.30pm, with another game on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

August 2’s planned game with Widnes’s fellow Northern Premier League outfit Trafford has been called off.

l Rushen United pre-season training starts this Thursday, July 25 at Croit Lowey.

Old and new faces welcome at the session which begins at 6.30pm.

l Braddan pre-season training continues every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Victoria Road, starting at 6.30pm.

Southern darts league AGM

Southern Darts League’s annual general meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 7.

The AGM will be held at 8pm in the back room of the George Hotel in Castletown.