The Isle of Man FA’s senior men’s side produced a tremendous performance to beat Championship club Brentford’s second string 5-3 at a rain-lashed Bowl on Wednesday evening.

The island side made a dream start when Dan Simpson’s crisp long-range shot gave the hosts the lead, before Jack McVey slotted home from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after the lively Rhys Oates had been impeded.

With Douglas Royal teenager Jacob Crook excellent on his senior debut, the Manx continued to impress across the park, but pro side Brentford pulled one back just shy of the half-hour mark when Danish under-19 international Gustav Morgensen rattled in.

Frank Jones headed in at a corner to restore the island side’s two-goal advantage only for Brentford skipper Ali Coote to add the Bees’ second of an end-to-end game from the penalty spot.

The Isle of Man started the second half brightly and scored a fourth when Frank Jones struck again at a corner. After Paul Jones gave debuts to youngsters Lewis Bridson, Luke Murray, Joel Ibanez, Jack Camarda and Jay Sketcher-Maxwell from the bench an own goal sealed a memorable win for the islanders with 15 minutes on referee Stuart Kneen’s watch.

A late rally by Brentford was capped by a stunning volley from Coote, but the Bees couldn’t find another in the game’s remaining 10 minutes.

Reflecting on the impressive victory manager Paul Jones said: ’It’s the best performance myself and Lee Dixon have been involved in with a Manx team as either a player or a coach.

’The lads played to the shape and to structure we wanted to play, which in itself was a success. They fact they have scored five goals past a pro side is something I don’t think an FA side has ever done before.’

Brentford counter-part Lars Friis added: ’It was a great game to watch - all credit to the Isle of Man for the way they attacked and approached the game. I know they have been building up to it for many weeks.

’It was a fantastic team effort from Isle of Man’

More in this week’s Courier and the latest Manx Football Podcast.