Saturday 26th February 2022, NWCFL First Division South

FC Isle of Man 4 (Doyle pen 40, 64, 90+5, Davies 90)
West 3 (Swift 17, Cain 45+4, Gabidon 54)
Att: 2,395

West were on the wrong side of stoppage-time drama for the second game in succession, as FC Isle of Man leapfrogged Chris Rowley’s side in the First Division South table.

Backed by around 200 travelling supporters on Ellan Vannin, the visitors took the lead on 17 minutes as Joel Swift nodded home James Hooper’s free kick.

The home side drew level with five minutes remaining in the first period, as Sean Doyle converted a penalty won after Andrew Jones had felled a forward on the edge of the box. But there was still time for West to go into the interval ahead as Harry Cain bundled the ball over the line with the last act of the half.

Dontai Gabidon capitalised on a defensive error shortly before the hour mark to put West 3-1 ahead, but there was to be a sting in the tail. The Ravens hauled themselves back within touching distance when Jones could only parry a shot as far as Doyle after 64 minutes.

The home side threw on towering forward Furo Davies in the closing moments, and his introduction proved pivotal as he nodded home a wide delivery in the final minute of regulation time.

The Bowl was baying for a goal that would take their side top of the table for the first time this season, and it arrived with almost the last action of the game as Doyle reacted quickest in the box to poke home his third of the game.

Despite the incredibly cruel nature of the defeat, the West side were applauded off the pitch by the away support and move onto a quick opportunity to reclaim top spot with Tuesday’s visit to Eccleshall.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Hancock (Westall), Delaney, Dibble (Vayro), Heathcote, Cain, Gavin, Swift, Hooper, Gabidon (Matthews). Not used: Lewis, Ryan.