The Isle of Man men’s football team started their NatWest Island Games in Gotland with an impressive win, comfortably defeating Hitra 5-0 at Farosund.

The Manx made their intentions clear on, only taking eight minutes to open the scoring. Following a throw-in on the right, Calum Morrissey held up the ball and his lay-off was met by a Ciaran McNulty’s low, venomous strike that made its way into the net.

With the Manx pushing and probing and keeping possession, Dan Simpson went close to scoring on his debut after cutting in from the left: his shot had the goalkeeper beaten, but a defender threw himself on the line and the ball hit his head before diverting wide.

The Isle of Man found the target again on 24 minutes. A quick throw-in from Liam Cowin was dummied by Sam Caine which caught the Hitra defence off-guard and McNulty collected before scoring with a cool finish.

Just before half-time McNulty completed a first-half hat-trick and become only the fourth Manx men’s player to net an Island Games trio.

After intercepting a goal-kick, Morrissey nudged a through-ball to his St George’s team-mate who unleashed a low powerful strike that spun off the goalkeeper’s body and into the net to put the Manx in a very comfortable position come the interval.

On 52 minutes the Manx bagged their fourth. McNulty gave chase to a right side corner flag ball before passing to Caine who in turn fed Morrissey and the Shire, with his back to goal and shielding the ball, swivelled 180 degrees before placing the ball into the opposing net.

With manager Nick Hurt making a number of chances, the IoM was content in keeping possession, often dragging their opponents across the park as Hitra continued to defend in numbers.

The Manx netted their fifth and final goal on 78 minutes. After being awarded a free-kick on their right just outside the opposing penalty area, Jack McVey delivered a low cross that was flicked across goal and Morrissey swung a shot inside the right post.

The Manx went close to netting a sixth before full-time when Rhys Oates saw an effort cleared off the line and, despite a few nervous moments defensively, they always looked in control to register a comfortable victory.

Isle of Man v Hitra: Damyan Petkov, Liam Cowin (Sam Ingham 78m), Alex Harrison, Jack McVey, Chris Cannell, Daniel Bell (Rhys Oates 68m), Frank Jones (captain), Sam Caine, Ciaran McNulty (Matthew Woods 56m), Calum Morrissey, Dan Simpson.

PAUL HATTON

Twitter: @Hatty1970