THE six debutants in the latest Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week takes the number of players featured within its various Canada Life Premier League line-ups this season to a staggering 91.
Union Mills goalkeeper Danny Christian is among the first-timers in this week’s XI, which was concocted by Eric Clague’s infamous player ratings panel from Saturday’s four top-flight matches.
Christian edges out Rushen’s Tom Strivens for the coveted gloves after keeping a clean sheet as the Millers ended a run of six games without a win against Marown.
Also impressing in that match at Garey Mooar was Marown youngster Cameron Avery who was the Crosby side’s stand-out performer in the 4-0 reverse.
Joining the talented teen at the back are experienced campaigners Nick Leung (St John’s) and Martin Reilly (St Mary’s) who both earn their first TotW stripes of the term.
Leung was Man of the Match as the Johnners bounced back from Railway Cup final defeat to triumph 0-5 at relegation-threatened Castletown.
Former island striker Reilly is forging a mean reputation as a full-back producing another good showing as Sam Kenny’s side fought from two goals down to secure a draw at Peel.
In midfield come two of three men that have appeared in TotW the most so far this campaign. Brian Crellin (St Mary’s), Nick Hurt (St John’s) and Johnny Myers (St George’s) have all made six appearances, the former two securing their most recent accolades in the latest round of matches.
Crellin capped an eye-catching display against the westerners with a goal, while Johnners’ player-manager Hurt struck twice during his charges’ second-half onslaught against Town.
Goalscoring was also on the agenda for two of the others in the team’s five-man midfield with both Lee Gale (Peel) and Chris Shimmin (Rushen) bagging braces against St Mary’s and Gymns respectively.
Gale’s two-goal haul looked to have put the Douglas Road on the patch to victory only for the Saints to fire their own quick-fire double either side of the half-time break.
Shimmin’s recent purple patch in front of goal continued against Gymns, the versatile left-footer’s strikes going a long way to securing the Spaniards an eighth win of the season.
Completing the midfield ranks is Union Mills’ Michael Nash. The box-to-box midfielder was one of Marown’s main tormentors as Derek Cowley’s outfit secured a 4-0 victory to move 10 clear of the division’s relegation zone.
Up front, Nash’s team-mate Steven Quine makes his second TotW appearance of the season after two goals in the aforementioned triumph. Joining the former island striker in the final third is Rushen’s powerful striker Furo Davies who scored, you guessed it, twice as a spirited Gymns were swept aside at Croit Lowey.
Refereeing honours go to Alan Cowin for a second time this season after he impressed in the middle during Peel’s draw with St Mary’s.
Team of the Week 29/12/12
Goalkeeper: Danny Christian (Union Mills) TotW appearances this season: 1
Defence
Cameron Avery (Marown) TotW apps: 2
Nick Leung (St John’s) TotW apps: 1
Martin Reilly (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 1
Midfield
Lee Gale (Peel) TotW apps: 3
Michael Nash (Union Mills) TotW apps: 1
Chris Shimmin (Rushen) TotW apps: 1
Nick Hurt (St John’s) TotW apps: 6
Brian Crellin (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 6
Attack
Steven Quine (Union Mills) TotW apps: 2
Furo Davies (Rushen) TotW apps: 1
Referee
Alan Cowin (Peel v St Mary’s) RotW apps: 2