Westerners beat St Mary’s 4-1 in Sunday afternoon’s final at the Bowl
PEEL clinched an 11th Ascot Hotel Junior Cup on Sunday with a 4-1 win over a plucky St Mary’s in the competition’s final at the Bowl.
The westerners made a dream start to their fourth appearance in combination football’s showpiece finale in five seasons when skipper Gary Smith prodded in after winning a 50-50 with St Mary’s keeper Geoff Crennell.
The young Saints responded well and found themselves level when Stuart Pacey took advantage of some hesitant western defending to arrow in a crisp shot from the edge of the area 10 minutes before the half-time break.
St Mary’s began the second period in determined fashion, but once again found themselves behind when Calum Gallagher tapped in against his old club after good work by Louie Parmar and John Kelly.
Gallagher’s goal sparked a final last 15-minute flurry by the westerners and they began to take advantage of a tiring St Mary’s defence. Man of the Match Parmar headed in Alex Holden’s corner at the near post before Smith sealed the silverware with another tap in after a fine run down the right flank by Gallagher.
Peel’s celebrations were dampened a little in injury time when St Mary’s centre-back Ryan Lockwood suffered a suspected broken ankle.
Full report in this week’s Manx Independent.