Team of the Week returns for the first time in two months following the end of the latest circuit-breaker lockdown.

Not since February 25 has a hypothetical XI been selected by Eric Clague’s esteemed player ratings panel.

Manx football returned with a whole host of fixtures last weekend, including five games in the Canada Life Premier League.

Marown took a huge step towards securing their top flight for another season with an impressive 4-1 victory over Ayre United and, as a result, two of Dave Brew’s charges have been included in the selection.

Goalkeeper Nathan Teare once again demonstrated his prowess in between the sticks for the Crosby outfit, particularly in the second half, and he therefore dons the gloves in the latest Team of the Week.

Lining up in a three-man defence in front of Teare are Alex Maitland, Ashley Higginbotham and Martin King who shone for Rushen United, St George’s and DHSOB respectively.

Like Marown, the latter side boosted their survival hopes with a vital victory over Douglas Royal and King was a big part of that success, leading from the back as the Blackberry Lane side claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win.

Just around the corner on Glencruchery Road, Higginbotham excelled in an unfamiliar defensive role for Geordies in a somewhat experiential line-up against rivals St Mary’s.

With the likes of Sean Quaye, Calum Morrissey, Cameron Kay, Lewis Bridson, Joel Ibanez and Joey Morling all missing (to name a few) for various reasons, Higginbotham was tasked with playing centre-back but didn’t look out of place and helped his side claim a 4-3 victory over the visitors.

Maitland has been a regular name in Team of the Week this season and carried on where he left off before lockdown with another typically strong showing at the back for Rushen during their dramatic come-from-behind victory at Ramsey.

The Spaniards trailed 2-0 at Ballacloan Stadium before mounting a late comeback and grabbing one of the goals for the northerners in that match was captain Matthew Montgomery who takes his place in a four-man TotW midfield.

Slotting in alongside him are DHSOB’s Mikey Booth, Geordies youngster Nathan Cardy and Marown’s Joey Rothwell.

The latter was another to star for the Crosby side against Ayre, playing a key role in helping his side triumph 4-1 to move up to seventh in the table, only one place behind the Tangerines.

Playing in an advanced role, Cardy excelled for St George’s with two crucial second-half goals - including one penalty - against St Mary’s to seal the three points at Glencrutchery Road.

Booth was also in good form at Blackberry Lane where, like the aforementioned King, he dug deep and gave 100 percent for the cause to see off a spirited effort from Royal to win 2-1 and edge Old Boys away from the dreaded drop zone.

After Corinthians stormed to a ruthless 10-0 win at home to Douglas Athletic - a result which moved them ever closer to the Premier League title - it’s no surprise to see the Whites well represented up front in the latest Team of the Week.

Leading the line in a front three are Corinthians duo Sean Doyle and Luke Murray who are joined by Rushen’s Jamie Johnston.

Doyle was the star of the show for Corinthians at Ballafletcher as he helped himself to a four-goal haul against the Pinks to take his seasonal tally to 34 overall.

Murray also chipped in with a brace of his own to leave Corinthians on the verge of their first Premier League title.

Johnston shone for Rushen in the north of the island as he scored one of the crucial goals against Ramsey to just about keep the Spaniards in the title race.

Team of the Week

Goalkeeper

Nathan Teare (Marown)

Defence

Alex Maitland (Rushen)

Ashley Higginbotham (St George’s)

Martin King (DHSOB)

Midfield

Nathan Cardy (St George’s)

Mikey Booth (DHSOB)

Joey Rothwell (Marown)

Matty Montgomery (Ramsey)

Attack

Luke Murray (Corinthians)

Sean Doyle (Corinthians)

Jamie Johnston (Rushen)