AS the island continued to be battered by the winds, it was Corinthians who whipped up a footballing storm, defeating Michael 4-2 in the preliminary round of the Cu-Plas-sponsored FA Cup at Ballafletcher on Saturday.
And it was Louis Thornton, a whirlwind in white, who created the damaged in the visiting defence by netting a fine hat-trick to secure the Premier League side’s passage through to the next round.
Michael have never reached the final of the FA Cup in the club’s history but put in an improved second-half performance.
However, manager Barney Kelly knows that laying important foundations for next season will be his side’s main priority this campaign.
Disrupted by the elements early on, the hosts thought they had got the important break-through when Thornton had a goal ruled out for offside.
However, the Whites made sure around the quarter of an hour mark when Lewis Griffiths raced along the right. His squared ball found Jamie Stoy. The Corinthians’ striker’s attempted shot was collected by the visiting defence who dithered. This allowed Thornton the opportunity to pounce as he dispossessed them before firing into the bottom-left corner of the net.
The Balleira Road outfit, who had the wind at their backs in the opening 45, were devoid of attacking invention, the closest they came to scoring was when Kevin Pulman’s corner was fumbled by goalkeeper Joe Kelly - Darren Cain clearing off the line.
The Whites came and scored again in the 23rd minute.
A short corner resulted in visiting goalkeeper Will Mitchell punching clear. Stoy received and passed to an unmarked Thornton who drove his effort in to the same spot as before.
Mitchell was alert, denying shots from Stoy and Ruairi Mooney as Corinthians entered half-time with a two-goal lead.
On resumption, Stoy was put clear only to be scythed down by an onrushing Mitchell just outside the box. This earned the Whites a free-kick and the visiting goalkeeper a yellow card.
Thornton bent his set-piece past the defensive wall and into the bottom right corner to complete his hat-trick.
Michael breathed life back into their flagging cup bid when Dean Wales’ cross from the right was met by Pulman. The former Marown midfielder’s scuffed attempt sneaked past Kelly before hitting the inside of the post and finding the back of the net.
The hosts struck back with a classic counter-attack.
Stoy accelerated down the left and Cain left his defensive duties to meet the Corinthians’ striker’s centre and head home.
However, the Whites’ footballing tornado subsided yet again when they were caught out by a Pulman corner.
Antony Corkill raced in unmarked to nod home just inside the far post for the Division Two side.
Time was running out and it was too late for the visitors to close the gap further as Corinthians’ held firm to advance through to entertain either Pulrose or Gymns in the next round.
Team check
Corinthians: Joe Kelly, Matthew Palmer (Michael Callister 69m), Darren Cain, Chris Cannell, Cameron Lee, Sam Black, Josh Ridings, Louis Thornton (Kane Ridings 67m), Lewis Griffiths (Max Neale 60m), Jamie Story, Ruairi Mooney
Michael Utd: Will Mitchell, Richard Crowe, Robyn Christian, Paul Atherton (Dean Wales 60m), Antony Corkill, Dave Reynolds, Andy Williamson (Michael Hammond 60m), Kevin Pulman, Peter Fisher, Matty Brand, Danny Chalk (Paul Corlett 60m)
Referee: Gareth Jones
Assistants: Danny Cowin, Harry Messenger
Bookings: Mitchell (Michael Utd)
Man of the match: Thornton (Corinthians)
Match rating: HHHHH