Rushed United’s hopes of qualifying for this year’s Railway Cup took a potentially fatal blow as they were beaten 2-1 by top-four rivals Corinthians at Ballafletcher.
Mike Williams gave the Spaniards a fourth-minute lead before the Whites eventually warmed to their task equalising just shy of the quarter-of-the-hour mark when Josh Ridings lashed in.
Luke Murray stretched out one of his long legs to poke home one of Dan Simpson’s long throws and give the hosts the lead midway through the first half. Murray’s goal turned out to be the winner.
Rushen enjoyed plenty of chances to get his side back into the match, but were left rueing a number of missed opportunities as the home side clinched the points.
A late brace from the fit-again Lee Gale ensured Peel triumphed 4-2 at Douglas Athletic.
Rhys Oates had given the westerners the early lead only for Martin Cowan to level for the Pinks. Mark Wolfenden then put Craig Purvis’s men back in front only for Gale to level things prior to half-time.
Gale then took matters into his own hands, completing his hat-trick in the final 10 minutes to see off a spirited DAFC who slip out of the top four.
An 89th-minute goal from Furo Davies ensured St George’s beat St John’s 2-1 at Glencrutchery Road to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and take advantage of St Mary’s not playing to go top.
At the foot of the league, promoted sides Marown and Castletown both picked up their first points on the return to the top-flight.
The Crosby side overcame Laxey 5-1 thanks in large to a four-goal haul from Ashley Higginbotham.
Town, who had only scored two goals prior to today, netted six times as they beat Douglas Royal 6-3 at Ballafletcher.
The result leaves Royal bottom of the standings with no points.
In JCK Division Two, the two games at the top both ended in draws.
Leaders RYCOB came from behind to claim a point at Foxdale.
Lewis Moran bagged a brace for the northerners to cancel out goals from Jay Chatwood and Andrew Berry.
Ramsey produced an impressive second-half comeback to come from three goals down to draw 3-3 with hosts Pulrose United.
A penalty from Marc Priestnal, plus further strikes from Owen Canipa and James Maginn put Pully 3-0 up inside 37 minutes.
Dylan Pickles started Ramsey’s comeback in the 54th minute before Nick White and Dom Parish struck further goals to earn the Ballacloan outfit a point.
Elsewhere, Governor’s Athletic picked up their first win of the campaign with a 1-0 win at Michael United.
Colby also picked up a maiden point of the season, drawing 1-1 with Union Mills at the Station Fields.
Gymns made further inroads into the mid-table with a slender 3-2 victory over Douglas and District, while Onchan remain in fifth after a 3-1 win over Ayre United.
Saturday, October 20
Canada Life Premier League
Corinthians 2-1 Rushen United
Douglas Athletic 2-4 Peel
Douglas Royal 3-6 Castletown
Laxey 1-5 Marown
St George’s 2-1 St John’s
JCK Limited Division Two
Colby 1-1 Union Mills
Foxdale 2-2 RYCOB
Gymns 3-2 Douglas & District
Michael United 0-1 Governor’s Athletic
Onchan 3-1 Ayre
Pulrose 3-3 Ramsey
Canada Life Combination One
Braddan 2-10 DHSOB
Castletown 2-11 Douglas Royal
Marown 2-3 Laxey
Peel 5-0 Douglas Athletic
Rushen United 0-1 Corinthians
St John’s 0-10 St George’s
JCK Limited Combination Two
Ayre United 0-3 Onchan
Douglas & District 4-1 Gymns
Governor’s Athletic 2-4 Michael United
Ramsey 4-2 Pulrose
RYCOB 5-2 Foxdale
Union Mills 5-0 Colby
Full round-up in Tuesday’s Examiner.