The return of Manx football following the circuit-breaker lockdown means the welcome resumption of Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week.

After nearly two months without games for most teams, there was no shortage of goals as five games survived the weather in the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday.

Donning the goalkeeper gloves in the hypothetical XI is St Mary’s shotstopper Adam Kinvig who proved a safe pair of hands for the reigning champions as they battled their way to a hard-fought 2-2 draw with DHSOB at the Bowl.

Lining up in a traditional four-man defence in front of the Kinvig is his former Douglas Athletic team-mate Will Penhallurick alongside Peel’s Tom Wood, Cameron Lee of Corinthians and Laxey’s David Reynolds.

Wood and Penhallurick went head-to-head in the west of the island in a game in which defences were predominantly on top, the former helping Peel keep a clean sheet in a narrow 1-0 victory at Douglas Road.

Reynolds racked up his fifth Team of the Week appearance of the season already thanks to another fine showing for Laxey during the Miners’ last-gasp 2-2 draw with St John’s.

Lee was in the thick of the action for Corinthians as the Whites came from behind to win a high-scoring affair with Rushen United at Ballafletcher, a result which moved his side 10 points clear of the Spaniards at the top of the table and seemingly on course for the title.

Also impressing in that match was Dan Simpson who helped himself to two important goals for Blane Slattery’s men to help them come from 0-2 and 1-3 down before eventually triumphing 6-3.

As such, Simpson takes his place in a three-man TotW midfield alongside DHSOB’s Gary Quirk and St John’s player/manager Callum Taggart.

The latter was unfortunate not to help his side record only their third win of the season as they were denied by a late Laxey leveller, but Taggart led by example and caught the eye of Eric Clague’s player ratings panel.

Quirk, meanwhile, had a fine game on the right wing for Old Boys as they claimed what could prove to be a priceless point in the battle against relegation with that impressive aforementioned 2-2 draw at champions St Mary’s.

Another to shine for leaders Corinthians was Stephen Whitley who showed no signs of rust as he continued his excellent season with a starring role of the Whites, having a hand in several of the goals and duly being named as the player of the day.

The in-form winger lines up in a three-man attack alongside team-mate Luke Murray and Douglas Royal talent Johnny Quirk who stole the show on the adjacent pitch.

Quirk proved a real handful for opponents Ramsey as he helped himself to a couple of goals as his side clinched a crucial 4-3 victory over the northerners at Ballafletcher, therefore earning his first Team of the Week call-up of the 2020-21 season.

Like Whitley, Murray excelled for Corinthians against Rushen United as he grabbed the all-important equaliser early in the second half which set the Whites on their way to victory, as well as also playing a part in several other goals.

Referee of the Week makes a welcome return in this edition and claiming the honours is a man no stranger to the accolade, Stuart Kneen who shone with the whistle during the top-of-the-table clash at Ballafletcher.

Goalkeeper

Adam Kinvig (St Mary’s)

Team of the Week apps: 3

Defence

Tom Wood (Peel) TotW apps: 1

Will Penhallurick (Douglas Athletic) TotW apps: 2

Cameron Lee (Corinthians) TotW apps: 2

David Reynolds (Laxey) TotW apps: 5

Midfield

Gary Quirk (DHSOB) TotW apps: 1

Callum Taggart (St John’s) TotW apps: 2

Daniel Simpson (Corinthians) TotW apps: 3

Attack

Stephen Whitley (Corinthians)TotW apps: 5

Johnny Quirk (Douglas Royal) TotW apps: 1

Luke Murray (Corinthians) TotW apps: 4

Referee

Stuart Kneen (Corinthians v Rushen)