THE Isle of Man Newspapers Team of the Week latest line-up is at sixes and sevens with more than half of the hypothetical XI having featured six or more times already this Canada Life Premier League season.
Johnny Myers (St George’s) and Callum Stewart (DHSOB) earn a magnificent seventh call-up of the top-flight campaign after impressing in the weekend’s full round of Premier League matches.
Centre-back Myers, who has the Football Writers Footballer of the Year trophy in his sights, was one of the champions elect’s top performers as they overcame St John’s 1-6 at Mullen-e-Cloie to maintain their lead at the top of the standings.
Slotting in alongside the island international in the TotW’s three-man defence are Laxey skipper Neil Brogan and Peel’s Andrew Crennell.
Brogan helped the Miners keep the pressure on aforementioned pacesetters St George’s with a 0-3 win away at Castletown, while Crennell was among the western wonders that helped Peel thump Corinthians 0-9 at Ballafletcher in Saturday’s late kick-off.
Crennell’s team-mate Lee Gale earns his sixth TotW league outing of the term after his rich vein of form in front of goal continued at the weekend.
The island winger bagged four goals to take his tally to 11 in his last six league and cup matches.
Gale is joined in the middle third by the more defensively minded Paul Rowley (Laxey) and Michael Hooper (DHSOB).
Rowley continued his fine season in the Miners’ engine room at Castletown at the weekend, while Hooper helped Old Boys to a ninth straight league win at Rushen.
Scoring the two important goals at Croit Lowey was Hooper’s club-mate Stewart, the decisive double taking his tally for the league campaign to 20 – one more than he scored last term.
Fellow hot shot Steven Priestnal (St Mary’s) makes up a potent-looking front four alongside Stewart, Luke Fisher (Gymns) and Chris Bass Jr (St George’s).
Priestnal struck twice as the Saints plunged Ramsey into the division’s two relegation spots with a 5-1 win at the Bowl.
The fleet-footed frontman now looks odds on to reclaim Manx football’s golden boot after making it 35 goals and counting at the weekend.
Bass Jr produced a man-of-the-match performance as Geordies’ collected their latest high-scoring triumph, while Fisher headed in what could be a vital goal in Gymns’ 2-0 triumph over Marown.
Fisher’s 86th minute goal put the Tromode outfit on the road to the victory that moved them out of the dreaded drop zone and a step closer to Premier League safety.
Also instrumental in that Gymns side was goalkeeper Steven Downward who edges out St Mary’s debutant Jay Davies for the TotW’s coveted number one jersey. Downward produced a couple of good stops to keep a clean sheet and secure his side an important three points.
Refereeing duties are shared this week by John McCallum (Gymns v Marown) and Willie Cowley (Peel v Corinthians) after the pair’s performances couldn’t be split by Eric Clague’s watching rating panel.
Team of the Week 16/3/13
Goalkeeper
Steven Downward (Gymns) TotW apps this season: 1
Defence
Neil Brogan (Laxey) TotW apps: 6
Johnny Myers (St George’s) TotW apps: 7
Andy Crennell (Peel) TotW apps: 2
Midfield
Lee Gale (Peel) TotW apps: 6
Michael Hooper (DHSOB) TotW apps: 5
Paul Rowley (Laxey) TotW apps: 4
Attack
Chris Bass Jr (St George’s) TotW apps: 6
Steven Priestnal (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 5
Callum Stewart (DHSOB) TotW apps: 7
Luke Fisher (Gymns) TotW apps: 1
Referee(s) of the Week
John McCallum (Gymns v Marown) RotW apps: 1
Willie Cowley (Peel v Corinthians) RotW apps: 3