Report by Paul Hatton 

CANADA LIFE ISLE OF MAN 5 - 0 ISLE OF WIGHT

A devastating four goal spell within 11 minutes during the second half saw the Canada Life sponsored Isle of Man beat the Isle of Wight 5-0 in final group game at St Martins FC on Monday morning and finish Group B winners. It also saw the Isle of Man qualify for the Island Games semis for a record eighth time.

The Manx pressed their opponents early on; Rebecca Cole was presented with a glorious opportunity early on when she got the better of the goalkeeper and staring at an empty net, steered her effort wide.

But on 38 minutes, Cole made amends by opening the scoring for the Manx following a passage of play. Lisa Costain provided a diagonal pass, putting the current Isle of Man FA Women’s Player of the Year to dink over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Five minutes after the restart, the IOM got their second. Eleanor Gawne intercepted a goalkeeper clearance on her right - her initial shot was saved but she lifted an effort into the top left at the second attempt.

Four minutes later, another attacking move saw an IOW player make a mistake: the Manx support shouted 'handball!' in unison and referee pointed to the spot. Gawne duly dispatched the resulting penalty kick for the Isle of Man's third.

On 57 minutes a surging Holly Sumner run was impeded in the box and the official blew for a second penalty. and it was Lisa Costain’s turn to score the resulting spot-kick to make it 4-0.

One minute after the hour mark, it was 5-0. Gawne crossed from right, Tia Lisy’s header was parried by the goalkeeper and Cole reacted the quickest and scored from the follow-up.

The remainder of the match saw a number of substitutes which included two 16 year olds, Ruby Palmer and Rishona Dykes, make their Island Games debuts, the latter making her first senior appearance in Manx football as an Island player. All five substitutes were used so every squad player has now got valuable game time going into the semis.

Team: Kayleigh Greggor (Blae Cain 78m), Kayleigh Georgeson, Stevie Mallon, Becky Corkish (capt.), Lisa Costain (Anna Shaw 63m), Tia Lisy, Louise Gibbins, Holly Sumner (Rishona Dykes 78m), Eleanor Gawne (Ruby Palmer 70m), Chloe Teare (Holly Stephen 62m) Rebecca Cole.