Marown beat Douglas Royal 5-2 to move four points clear of Laxey and the Canada Life Premier League’s relegation spot.

Royal started the brighter of the two teams, but found themselves behind when Connor Gilbert nodded home in the 15th minute.

The goal proved the catalyst for a good spell for the hosts and they added a second when Gilbert slammed in from close range after being picked out by Lewis Brew.

Adam McAuley curled in a lovely third goal for the hosts as Marown looked to be running away with it.

Two goals in 10 minutes, however, brought Royal back into the game. Lucas Martin headed in at a corner, before Terry Rigaux crashed in a free-kick off the bar.

The first half’s scoring wasn’t finished there though as a long throw found the back of the net via a Royal head.

Marown made the better fist of the second 45 and had hit the woodwork twice before McAuley completed his brace after good work by substitute Stuart Morris.

Gilbert had chance to wrap up his hat-trick inside the last quarter of hour but saw his penalty saved by Royal keeper James Lowey.

The miss mattered little as Marown secured only their second win of the league season.

Elsewhere in the top flight, Peel continue to lead the way at the top of the table after they saw off the challenge of Laxey in a high-scoring contest at Glen Road. Stan Manning, Harry Walters and Dave Corlett netted for the Miners, but braces from Shaun Kelly and Rhys Oates plus a Matthew Woods strike sealed a 5-3 win for the pacesetters.

The westerners are now six points clear of second-placed St Mary’s after the Saints were held to a 1-1 draw by Rushen United at Croit Lowey, although the Bowl outfit have two games in hand.

Defending champions St George’s were in ruthless form as they smashed 11 goals past Castletown without reply at the Stadium. Calum Morrissey and Ciaran McNulty both helped themselves to four-goal hauls and they were joined on the scoresheet by Chris Bass Jr, Sam Caine and Sean Quaye.

Corinthians were also in fine fettle in front of goal as they put Douglas Athletic to the sword 6-1 at Ballafletcher. Dan Simpson scored a brace while there were also goals for Sean Doyle, Connor Gorman, Tom Smith and Luke Murray.

The GH Corlett Woods Cup fired into life this afternoon and the game between RYCOB and Union Mills went the distance, with the Millers eventually triumphing thanks to extra-time goals from Kyle Uren and Ryan Kelly.

There was also a tight game at Springfield Road where Douglas and District pushed Pulrose United all the way before the Reds edged through 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Owen Canipa.

There was a thrilling contest at the Nivison Stadium where Onchan just got the better of Colby in a seven-goal thriller. The Moonlighters found the back of the net through Adam Fretwell, Carl Hickey and Oli Swales, but goals from James Gifford, Joe Rees, Sam Greasley and an own goal sealed the Os’ progression.

There was very little to choose between Malew and Foxdale at Clagh Vane but in the end it was the visitors who booked their place in the first round proper thanks to Scott Kermeen’s goal shortly after half-time.

Elsewhere, Ramsey proved too strong for Michael United at Balleira Road where the visitors triumphed 6-0, led by Nick White who grabbed a brace while the likes of Calvin Koske and Mike Valerga also got on the scoresheet.

Saturday, January 19

GH Corlett Woods Cup preliminary round

Pulrose United 1-0 Douglas and District

Onchan 4-3 Colby

Rycob 0-2 Union Mills

Malew 0-1 Foxdale

Michael United 1-6 Ramsey

Canada Life Premier League

Castletown 0-11 St George’s

Marown 5-2 Douglas Royal

St John’s L-L Dhsob

Laxey 3-5 Peel

Corinthians 6-1 Douglas Athletic

Rushen United 1-1 St Mary’s

Canada Life Combination One

Douglas Athletic 1-6 Braddan

St Mary’s P-P Laxey

Peel 11-0 Marown

JCK Combination Two

Gymns P-P RYCOB

Ayre United 2-2 Colby

Ramsey 9-3 Michael United