Four goals from super striker Jason Craine helped RYCOB move four points clear of arch-rivals Gymns in the Canada Life Premier League survival chase at Lezayre Road on Saturday.
It was obvious from early in the game that the home side were up for the task with their neat and clever build-up play rewarded on several occasions by the lively Craine.
The opening half, though, was a well contested affair with the Tromode side in no mood to give up without a fight. The first real chance fell to Youth Centre when a header from the impressive Shaun Kelly was well-saved by namesake Chris in the visitors goal.
The game was, in fact, sprinkled with fine saves from keeper Kelly which included a fine penalty stop during the second half to deny Shaun his goal. The northerners took the lead mid-way through the opening half when Craine cleverly deflected a well-directed long throw-in from Shaun Kelly.
The Douglas side then wasted the first of several chances as Jarda Lavverman sent a real opportunity inches wide of a post.
From early in the second period Gymns were made to pay after LukeFisher sent an effort over the cross-bar, when Olly Blaker firmly headed home a well-delivered corner from the busy Stuart Jordan.
Craine then made it three when he produced a superb shot on the turn that appeared to completely deceive keeper Kelly. Fisher then went closest to scoring for the visitors, but he blasted wide following their best move of the game.
As Gymns appeared to run out of steam, Craine came into his own. He netted the fourth, at the second attempt, before firing home the fifth late in the game.
Craine was even allowed the luxury of squandering his best chance when he broke clear of the defence, before firing over the cross-bar with just the keeper to beat.
TEAM CHECK
RYCOB: Stuart Fayle, Daniel Tait, Olly Blacker (Kris Murdoch), George Rawlinson (Martyn Murphy) Andy Walton, Matty Boyde, Tony Corlett, Shaun Kelly, Steven Jordan (Daniel Sherry) Jason Craine, Jamie Brew
Gymns: Chris Kelly, Jonathon Broad, Barry Hardinge, Gareth Gawne (James Cain), Jarda Lavverman (Johnny Cain) Farrell Iveagh, Michael Booth, David Rees, Mark McCarrick, Nick Bowden, Luke Fisher
Referee: Ian Fisher
Assistants: Peter Lewis and Mark Todd
Man of the Match: Jason Crain - easy in the end but a number of Youth Centre players stood out including Walton, Corlett, Kelly and Jordan
Match rating: HHHII
Attendance: 54