IN the high stakes game of JCK Division Two promotion, RYCOB played another winning hand with a deserved 4-1 win over Foxdale at Billy Goat Park on Saturday afternoon
Youthie manager Marc Christian has gambled on youth which includes a number of aces in his footballing pack.
This is a new-look side, the last time I reported on RYCOB at home in the second tier was when they defeated Union Mills 3-2 on the last day of the 2010-11 season which secured promotion to the top-flight.
Only two players featured in both starting XIs: Matthew Boyd and Glen McGovern.
Foxdale travelled up north buoyed by the previous week’s impressive win over league leaders Michael, however they came up against a side that played with confidence and gusto. RYCOB continually swarmed into the opposing half, launching attack after attack and Jamie Brew’s deflected effort early on was cleared off the line by Liam Leece.
Youthie opened their account on 16 minutes when Brew swung in a corner to Steven Grose who in turn played the ball across the six-yard box and Glen McGovern reacted quickest, drilling in a shot from close range.
Foxdale had to wait until the 25th minute for their first attempt on target and almost levelled the scores, however Leece’s header was cleared off the line by Boyd.
Time and time again the ball was played into the Foxdale penalty area, time and time again the visiting defence creaked and groaned under the relentless pressure.
A second goal for the hosts seemed inevitable. Following a throw-in the Miners thought the ball had gone out of play, however Boyd’s bye-line cutback found Grose to fire in a low shot.
As the first half came to a close, RYCOB put themselves in a commanding position with a third.
Oliver Blaker’s free-kick always had Naisbitt back-tracking and the goalkeeper fumbled the ball into Marc Faragher’s path and he made no mistake, slotting in the rebound.
The hosts eased off during the second half, although they continued to create chances. Faragher’s low effort was expertly saved by Naisbitt and, from the resulting corner, Grose headed over the crossbar.
Foxdale had their moments too, Liam Cannan going close with a long-range effort.
However, it was an inspired substitution for RYCOB’s fourth. Marc McClurg entered the field of play and, following Brew’s corner, the sub scored with his first touch, converting with a near post header.
They came close to scoring a fifth soon after when Craig Lemaire’s back-pass was intercepted by Brew who pushed it past an advancing Naisbitt, but Stephen Bettridge raced back to make an important clearance.
Foxdale did manage to net a consolation towards the end. Matt Venables played the ball inside the box and Graham Kennish accidently handled. Michael Cawte dispatched the resulting penalty.
With Colby losing at home, RYCOB move into second place. Expect move twists and turns in this compelling league season.
TEAM CHECK
RYCOB: Greg Radcliffe, Peter Tomlinson, David Bale, Oliver Blaker, Graham Kennish, Matthew Boyd, Marc Faragher, Glen McGovern, Steven Grose (Shane Kinrade 82m), Rob Moreton (Marc McClurg 74m), Jamie Brew (Kyle Sayle 82m)
Foxdale: Stuart Naisbitt, Liam Leece (Matty Venables 57m), Stephen Bettridge (Jack Smith 87m), Michael Gale, Craig Lemaire, Liam Cannan, Gavin MacLaughlin, Andrew Chadwick, Stuart Morrison, Michael Cawte, Craig Gelling. Sub not used: Andy Cover
Referee: Ian Fisher
Man of the Match: Kennish (RYCOB)
Match rating: HHHHI
l Michael United got back to winning ways in JCK Division Two with a hard-fought victory over Douglas Road at Balleira Road.
The westerners suffered their first defeat of the season away at Foxdale the previous week but goals from Kevin Pulman and silver boot contender Paul Corlett earned them a 2-0 victory over fifth-place Royal.
Colby suffered a setback in their quest for the title when they somewhat surprisingly lost at home to Braddan.
Jack Snidal netted for the southerners but goals from Will Smith and Geoff Murphy earned the Swans a 2-1 victory which cements their midtable position.
Strikes from Jamie Heaney, Martin Whitehouse and Jordan Edge earned Ronaldsway an impressive third successive win against lowly Pulrose.