A LATE goal from the busy Danny Foulis helped Laxey collect all three points from their hard-fought Canada Life Premier League clash with St Mary’s at Glen Road on Saturday.
The hosts were certainly good value for their victory creating more of the chances, especially during a more open second period of the contest.
The home side, in fact, made the more impressive start but it was the visitors that came closer to breaking the dead-lock in the early stages when a smart shot on the turn by Steven Priestnal had to be forced over by keeper Danny Mead.
It was the closest the league’s leading marksman came to adding to his total as Daryl Haslett spent most of the afternoon right on his shoulder.
Max Murley then sent a real opportunity for the Miners sailing over the cross-bar before the home side did take the lead. Murley cleverly flicked on a header which allowed Ashley Webster the chance to control and guide well clear of Max Thomas in the Saints’ goal.
Peter Langridge’s side then enjoyed their best spell of the game, Mead having to produce a fine save from a Priestnal header.
Then, midway through the half, Laxey’s luck ran out when Connor Gorman fired home a well-struck effort from the edge of the area.
But as the second half developed so did the home side’s chances. Laxey skipper Gary William sent the first real chance wide, from close range. Then Williams delivered a telling cross which Josh Thomas steered wide of the target.
It began to look as if a draw was the inevitable consequence when another fine effort from Webster rebounded off an upright, but with just 12 minutes remaining Laxey regained the lead when Williams delivered another smart cross which Foulis bravely headed home.
Peter Langridge’s side turned up the heat in the closing stages and were rewarded with a series of corners, but a some-what shaky home defence managed to hang on to claim the victory.
TEAM CHECK
Laxey; Danny Mead, Gary Williams Dave Corlett (Nigel Beattie), Daryl Haslett, Stephen Parish, Anthony Leach, Johnny Callow, Danny Foulis, Josh Thomas, Ashley Webster, Max Murley (Danny Oram)
St Mary’s Max Thomas, Tony Cain, Adam Pate, Liam Doyle, Richard Sharman (Keith Byrne) Tom Weir, Connor Gorman, Martin Reilly, Steven Priestnal, Dave Skillen (Chris Anderson), Brian Crellin.
Referee David Murphy
Assistants John McCallum and Dean Whittly
Man of Match Haslett (Laxey) Did a fine marking job on the always dangerous Priestnal, but Saints midfielder Tom Weir also had an excellent game.
Match Rating HHHHH
Attendance 88