The 15th instalment of this season’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week features another five debutants.
The latest round of games in the Canada Life Premier League produced several important results, most notably reigning champions Corinthians shocking title challengers Rushen United at Ballafletcher.
The Whites’ 4-1 victory over the Spaniards means it’s advantage Ayre United in the race for the 2021-22 championship and also ensures Ben Qualtrough’s Corinthians are well represented in the latest hypothetical XI.
Two of their number feature in a four-man Team of the Week defence, namely Stewart Smith and Darren Cain who line up alongside Ramsey’s Oliver Grice and DHSOB’s Martin King.
Smith and Cain both produced fine showings at the back for the Whites as they blunted the usually prolific Rushen attack, with Cain delivering a man of the match performance which was arguably the standout display of the day in the top flight.
Likewise, Grice and King both played important roles at the back for their sides as they went head-to-head at Blackberry Lane, with Grice helping the northerners edge the contest 1-0 to remain a lofty third in the table.
Donning the goalkeeper gloves in TotW for the third time this season is Douglas Royal’s Harry Horbury who produced a series of fine saves to keep his side in the game during their 2-2 draw at Union Mills.
In the north of the island, St George’s returned to winning ways with a 3-1 success over bottom-of-the-table RYCOB at Scoill ree Gorree, with Chris Bass Jr and Karl Clark both troubling the scorers and earning their places in a four-man Team of the Week midfield.
Joining them are Marown’s Mikey Callister and Ramsey’s Jack Gilbert. Callister was also amongst the goals as he helped Dave Brew’s Crosby charges hit back from three goals down to snatch a draw against Laxey, while Gilbert played a key role in Royal’s aforementioned 2-2 draw at Mills.
Another to impress in the latter game at Garey Mooar was Kyle Uren who helped himself to a goal and continued his excellent season for the Millers.
Joining him in a two-man attack is Laxey’s in-form man Brody Patience who chipped in with a couple of goals for the Miners during their rollercoaster draw with Marown at the Memorial Playing Fields.
Claiming the referee of the week honours is Andy Lodge who enjoyed a fine game in the middle of the big clash at Ballafletcher between Corinthians v Rushen.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Goalkeeper
Harry Horbury (Douglas Royal) TotW apps: 3
Defence
Oliver Grice (Ramsey) TotW apps: 1
Stewart Smith (Corinthians) TotW apps: 1
Martin King (Old Boys) TotW apps: 3
Darren Cain (Corinthians) TotW apps: 1
Midfield
Mikey Callister (Marown) TotW apps: 2
Jack Gilbert (Ramsey) TotW apps: 3
Karl Clark (St George’s) TotW apps: 2
Chris Bass Jr (St George’s) TotW apps: 1
Attack
Brody Patience (Laxey) TotW apps: 1
Kyle Uren (Union Mills) TotW apps: 4
Referee
Andy Lodge (Corinthians v Rushen) RotW apps: 1