THE latest Isle of Man Newspapers Team of the Week is made up of those who shone in the four Canada Life Premier League matches to beat the weekend’s wintry weather.
One of Saturday’s main talking points was bottom side Marown’s shock 0-1 win at mid-table Corinthians, three of the Crosby outfit’s heroes making it into the latest line-up of the island’s favourite hypothetical XI.
Goalkeeper Mark Kinley was one of the The Farmers’ star turns, the former Foxdale stopper producing several good saves as Corinthians peppered the visitors’ goal.
Aiding Kinley to keep Marown’s first clean sheet of the term was experienced defenders Neil Withers and Nigel Shimmin, both make it into this week’s weather-hardened selection.
Club stalwart Withers took the man of the match honours after a typically dogged display at full-back for Dave Brew’s team. Withers also grabbed an assist laying on defensive cohort Shimmin’s goal (Marown’s only shot on target in the match) with a well delivered free-kick.
Shimmin also impressed at the back, but it could be his contribution at the other end of the pitch that proves the more telling.
The former island skipper’s goal, and the three points it secured, puts the division’s bottom side within three points of third-bottom Gymns and top-flight safety.
Joining the Marown duo in the side’s back three is St Mary’s skipper Dominic McGreevy. The Northern Irish centre-back quelled some early Union Mills’ enthusiasm as his side scored five second-half goals on their way to a 1-7 win at a bitterly cold Garey Mooar.
Despite just four games going ahead, a whopping 25 goals flew in. Nearly half these went in at Douglas Road, where Peel triumphed 11-1 over struggling Castletown.
Bagging five of the westerners goals were midfielders Lee Gale and Marc Kelly. Gale continued his recent good form with a brace while fellow island international Kelly netted his first ever hat-trick for Rick Holden’s outfit.
Peel’s western rivals St John’s also scored a good win at the weekend, defeating 2010 champions Rushen 1-3 at Croit Lowey. Two of the Johnners star men, Ant Moore and Jamie Moffatt, make it into the XI’s midfield ranks, the former making his second TotW of the season before returning to continue his football scholarship in the United States.
Moore capped a man of the match showing with a goal in the Railway Cup finalists’ victory over the Spaniards on the Costa Del Port Erin. Moffatt makes his second TotW appearance of the campaign since his summer switch from Ramsey after the winger used his pace to spearhead many a Johnners’ attack.
Up front Moffatt’s Saints team-mate Stephen Glover, joins Kerron Christian (Peel) and Stephen Whitley (St Mary’s).
Glover underlined his predatory instinct with two well-taken goals against Rushen, while Christian also struck twice in Peel’s rout over Castletown.
Former Castletown youngster Whitley makes his first Team of the Week appearance of the season after claiming the MotM honours in the Saints’ 1-7 at Union Mills. Whitley grabbed a hat-trick and laid on another goal for Tom Weir as Sam Kenny’s Bowl side moved up to second in the standings.
Referee of the Week honours go to John Lovelady for a third time this season after he impressed in the middle during Marown’s narrow victory at Corinthians.
Team of the Week 20/01/13
Goalkeeper:
Mark Kinley (Marown) TotW apps this season: 2
Defence:
Dominic McGreevy (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 3
Nigel Shimmin (Marown) TotW apps: 2
Neil Withers (Marown) TotW apps: 1
Midfield:
Lee Gale (Peel) TotW apps: 4
Ant Moore (St John’s) TotW apps: 2
Marc Kelly (Peel) TotW apps: 4
Jamie Moffatt (St John’s) TotW apps:2
Attack:
Stephen Whitley (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 1
Kerron Christian (Peel) TotW apps: 1
Stephen Glover (St John’s) TotW apps: 3
Referee:
John Lovelady (Corinthians v Marown) RotW apps: 3