FC Isle of Man produced a dominant display at the Bowl on Saturday evening, hammering Widnes Town 6-0 in the first round of the Macron Cup.

Adam Adebiyi's hat-trick was among the standout performances as the Ravens returned to the competition after an absence of several seasons because of costs.

Despite a Widnes side led by former Blackpool talisman Gary Taylor-Fletcher starting brightly, forcing home goalkeeper Tom Crosbie into two early saves, the Ravens took the lead on 13 minutes when James Lowther's low cross found Adebiyi, who swivelled and fired into the far corner.

The striker doubled his tally eight minutes later when nodding home a pin-point cross from debutant Dylan Bullock following a slick corner routine.

FC Isle of Man needed less than a minute after the restart to add a third of the evening, Adebiyi lobbing the goalkeeper before nodding into an empty net to complete his hat-trick.

A Ste Whitley penalty then made it four on 51 minutes after Adebiyi was brought down in the box.

Ravens’ substitute Charlie Higgins tapped home a fifth on 65 minutes, before captain Joe Quayle completed the scoring on 71 minutes when catching the goalkeeper off his line from 35 yards.

The victory marks FC Isle of Man's triumphant return to the Macron Cup, nearly four years since their last appearance.

The Ravens are next back in action this weekend when they travel to Litherland REMYCA in the NWCFL Premier Division on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm. The Manx side’s next Macron Cup match will see the Ravens welcome Magull to the Bowl on Saturday, October 24.

SAM TURTON

FC Isle of Man's Jimmy Lowther goes on the attack as he looks to escape the attentions of two Widnes Town opponents (Photo: Paul Hatton)
FC Isle of Man's Jimmy Lowther goes on the attack as he looks to escape the attentions of two Widnes Town opponents (Photo: Paul Hatton) (Paul Hatton)