Ayre United’s promotion hopes now lie in the hands of Colby after the Tangerines beat Onchan 5-3 at Ballafletcher to complete their JCK Division Two programme.
After Wednesday night’s game the Andreas side are second in the standings, three points ahead of Colby the only side that can now match their points total.
The southerners, who have a better goal difference than Ayre, need to beat Marown in their last game next Tuesday if they are to join champions Gymns in the Premier League next season.
Onchan had several goalkeepers unavailable for their match, so player-manager Tristan Ringham took on the number one jersey and it was his side that took the lead after five minutes through Kraig Marsh.
Elliott Cureton headed home an equaliser from close range following Johnny Kelly’s centre, however, Jared Culligan restored the Os’ lead before half-time, capitalising on some lax defending.
Cureton levelled matters after the interval for the second occasion, heading home from a Christian Penswick corner and completed a hat-trick when he chipped into an unguarded net after Ringham was injured in a visiting attack, parrying at Daniel Kelly’s feet.
It was then Onchan’s turn to draw level, Culligan heading home Mark Burman’s corner.
With both teams having chances to restore their lead, it was Ayre who made the important break-through with a goal of the highest quality when Penswick’s free-kick flew into the roof of the net from 25 yards to make 4-3.
Cureton completed the scoring with his fourth when Penswick’s cross found the Ayre number 10 free at the far post. Cureton’s looping header hit the inside of the woodwork before nestling into the net for the visitors’ fifth.
Marown hot shot Stuart Morris boosted his chances of claiming the Silver Boot with a four-goal haul in the Crosby side’s 10-0 win over Foxdale. Morris’s striker partner Dylan Bridges also bagged four goals, joining George Brockhouse and Sean Shimmin on the scoresheet for Dave Brew’s charges.
Prolific Pulrose pair Dave Skillen and Barry English both bagged braces as United beat Malew 6-3 at Clagh Vane last night. Ben Cowin and Aaron Raby also troubled the scorers for the Springfield Road outfit.
In the Premier League, St John’s charge for a best finish of fourth continued with a 9-2 win at Ramsey.
The first of Richard Winn’s two goals put the Saints only for the in-form Kris Halsall to draw the two sides level. Harry Rothwell put the visitors back in front before a 20-minute first-half hat-trick from Stephen Glover gave the visitors a healthy 5-1 lead at the break.
Halsall struck a second at the start of the second half, only for Winn and Louis Morris to stretch the Saints’ lead further.
Goalkeeper Damyan Petkov then got in on the act, netting his first goal for the club from the penalty spot. Morris completed the scoring late on.
Third-bottom Michael United finished their season in style with a 4-0 win over Union Mills. Andrew Williamson was the star of the show for United netting a hat-trick for the westerners. Chris Hancox grabbed Barney Kelly men’s other goal.
The top tier’s other match between DHSOB and Corinthians ended 2-2.
Wednesday, May 7
Canada Life Premier League
DHSOB 2-2 Corinthians
Michael 4-0 Union Mills
Ramsey 2-9 St John’s
JCK Division Two
Onchan 3-5 Ayre
Foxdale 0-10 Marown
Malew 3-6 Pulrose
Canada Life Combination One
Corinthians L-L St Mary’s