The Isle of Man are through to the semi-finals of the FA Inter-League Cup after they beat the West Riding County League 3-1 at the Bowl this afternoon.
A bright Manx start was capped in the 15th minute when Frank Jones fired in a 30-yard screamer to edge Steve Burns’s charges in front.
The Yorkshire visitors hit back just after the half-hour mark through Scott Eastwood before Ciaran McNulty restored the island league side’s advantage four minutes before the break, tapping in after a tremendous run down the left by Peel winger Lee Gale.
West Riding used the strong wind that was now in their favour to hem the home side in their own half for the majority of the second 45. However, a stoic rearguard action led by goalkeeper Max Thomas ensured Richard Spychalski’s outfit couldn’t capitalise on any of their pro-longed spells of pressure that made for a tense watch for the partisan Bowl crowd.
Deep in the eight minutes of injury time that was played at the end of the 90, St George’s midfield marvel Jones added a second pearler, lashing home Sam Caine’s cross to seal his side’s advancement to the last four of the competition the island won in 2006.
Elsewhere, cup holders Jersey, who beat the Manx in the 2012 final at the Bowl, lost to Dorset in one of the day’s other three quarter-finals. The draw for the semis is expected to take place next week.
Full report and reaction from manager Steve Burns in Monday’s Examiner.