Early Canada Life Premier League pacesetters St Mary’s suffered their first defeat of the season in one of only six games to go ahead on Saturday.

The Saints lost 2-1 at Peel in the only top-flight fixture to beat the weather.

Rhys Oates put the hosts 1-0 up at a wet and windy Douglas Road, before the Saints were reduced to 10 men when player-coach Alex Harrison was given a straight red by referee Stuart Kneen for a challenge on Matty Skillicorn.

As the Bowl outfit reeled they found themselves a further goal behind when Daniel Bell lashed in from the edge of the area after the ball was only half-cleared by the St Mary’s defence.

The visitors pulled a goal back in the run up to half-time when Frank Jones prodded home after Peel keeper Andy Ball lost grip of a ball into his box in the greasy conditions.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, St Mary’s worked hard to get back into the match in the second 45 and created several chances to draw level with the wind now at their backs.

Peel also threatened on the break, but neither side could add to their respective tallies as Steve Falconer’s men held on to boost their Railway Cup qualification hopes.

Two games survived the water-logging in JCK Division Two, unbeaten RYCOB continued their fine start to the campaign with a 5-0 home win over Gymns. Strikes from Dan Sherry, Lewis Moran, Ste Grose, Jason Craine and an own goal keep the northerners top of the second-tier standings.

Onchan closed the gap on the division’s promotion spots with a 6-0 win at Governor’s Athletic. Barry English (2), Joe Rees, James Kerruish (2) and Dale Walker struck for the Os who only led by one goal at the break against the division’s bottom side.

Three games took place in the combination leagues. St Mary’s still lead the way in Combination One with an 100 per cent record after they beat Peel 2-0 at the Bowl.

Marown triumphed 5-3 over Douglas Royal in the other Combi One game thanks to a hat-trick from the ever-green Juan Killip. Joining him on the scoresheet for the Crosby outfit was Adam Mcauley who bagged a brace.

In Combi Two, Colby beat Douglas and District 2-0 thanks to goals from Dan Kelly and Jim Collett.

Saturday, October 13

Canada Life Premier League

Peel 2-1 St Mary’s

JCK Limited Division Two

Governors Athletic 0-6 Onchan

RYCOB 5-0 Gymns

Canada Life Combination One

Douglas Royal 3-5 Marown

St Mary’s 2-0 Peel

JCK Limited Combination Two

Colby 2-0 Douglas & District