ManxSeagull
NSC Creator
Superb result for our national team. They beat San Marino 1-0 on Saturday night.
SAN-SATIONAL PERFORMANCE
SAN MARINO 0-1 ENGLAND (ISLE OF MAN)
By ERIC CLAGUE
A LATE Calum Morrissey goal seven minutes from time helped the Isle of Man national side conclude their preparations for the Uefa Regions Cup with their first victory in England colours in San Marino on Saturday evening.
It turned into an action-packed contest with the Manx side denied a clear-cut penalty four minutes from the interval when Julian Ringham was brought down in the box by defender Simone Valentini only to see referee Gabriele Rossi wave play on.
However, a real turning point in the game occurred 15 minutes into the second half when following a mêlée in the box referee Rossi sent off substitute keeper Daniel Ceccoli for aiming a kick at striker Morrissey.
Kevin Manning's side began the game cautiously and gained little reward by overuse of the long ball from defence.
Gradually, however, the Manx side settled down with Lee Dixon making a real impression in midfield, demonstrating clever distribution of the ball.
The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors after 29 minutes when a Nigel Shimmin header from a Chris Bass corner was desperately scrambled off the San Marino goal line.
As the first half drew to a close, despite being denied their penalty claim, it was obvious that the Manx side were beginning to find holes in the home defence.
The visitors began the second half in a positive fashion and a well-taken corner from Bass fell to Ross Williamson only to see his shot blocked by the home defence.
Following the sending off, the San Marino side laid the emphasis very much on defence and the Manx side gradually began to make their extra man count.
Despite the best efforts of Morrissey, Williamson and Hurt in attack, they all failed to really test the stand-in keeper.
Frustration began to creep in and Williamson was shown a yellow card for a challenge on the keeper shortly before he was replaced by Martin Reilly.
The chances began to mount and Morrissey shot straight at the keeper before Nick Hurt set him up with another opportunity and this time he found the side netting.
But Morrissey was not to be denied and following a poor clearance he pounced, beat the defence and slotted the ball home, much to the relief of the small band of travelling fans.
It was a deserved victory for the Manx side; only rarely were they troubled in defence where Ringham, Daniel Lace, Sean Quaye and Nigel Shimmin worked well as a unit and keeper Mark Blair was certainly underemployed.
Jim Travers picked up well from where Dixon left off at half-time and Hurt made a more than useful contribution in attack as the game went on.
There is certainly room for optimism as the competition in the Czech Republic draws near.
England (Isle of Man) Mark Blair (Grant Dawson 86), Julian Ringham (Mark Teare 86), Daniel Lace, Sean Quaye, Neil Shimmin (Michael Hooper 88), Lee Dixon (Jim Travers 45), Kevin Megson (Paul Jones 60), John Myers (Nick Hurt 45), Ross Williamson (Martin Reilly 69), Calum Morrissey, Chris Bass.
San Marino Alex Zanotti, Manuel Francesconi, Manuel Fabri, Alexando Baldiserra, Gianluca Bollini, Simone Valentini, Cristian Negri, Fabio Bollini, Elton Shabani, Nicola Canarezza, Simone Quieti. Subs used: Daniel Ceccoli, Marco Fantini, Davide Vagnetti, Mattia Bianchi, Marco Rattini, Matteo Sammaritant, Giacomo Benedettini.
SAN-SATIONAL PERFORMANCE
SAN MARINO 0-1 ENGLAND (ISLE OF MAN)
By ERIC CLAGUE
A LATE Calum Morrissey goal seven minutes from time helped the Isle of Man national side conclude their preparations for the Uefa Regions Cup with their first victory in England colours in San Marino on Saturday evening.
It turned into an action-packed contest with the Manx side denied a clear-cut penalty four minutes from the interval when Julian Ringham was brought down in the box by defender Simone Valentini only to see referee Gabriele Rossi wave play on.
However, a real turning point in the game occurred 15 minutes into the second half when following a mêlée in the box referee Rossi sent off substitute keeper Daniel Ceccoli for aiming a kick at striker Morrissey.
Kevin Manning's side began the game cautiously and gained little reward by overuse of the long ball from defence.
Gradually, however, the Manx side settled down with Lee Dixon making a real impression in midfield, demonstrating clever distribution of the ball.
The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors after 29 minutes when a Nigel Shimmin header from a Chris Bass corner was desperately scrambled off the San Marino goal line.
As the first half drew to a close, despite being denied their penalty claim, it was obvious that the Manx side were beginning to find holes in the home defence.
The visitors began the second half in a positive fashion and a well-taken corner from Bass fell to Ross Williamson only to see his shot blocked by the home defence.
Following the sending off, the San Marino side laid the emphasis very much on defence and the Manx side gradually began to make their extra man count.
Despite the best efforts of Morrissey, Williamson and Hurt in attack, they all failed to really test the stand-in keeper.
Frustration began to creep in and Williamson was shown a yellow card for a challenge on the keeper shortly before he was replaced by Martin Reilly.
The chances began to mount and Morrissey shot straight at the keeper before Nick Hurt set him up with another opportunity and this time he found the side netting.
But Morrissey was not to be denied and following a poor clearance he pounced, beat the defence and slotted the ball home, much to the relief of the small band of travelling fans.
It was a deserved victory for the Manx side; only rarely were they troubled in defence where Ringham, Daniel Lace, Sean Quaye and Nigel Shimmin worked well as a unit and keeper Mark Blair was certainly underemployed.
Jim Travers picked up well from where Dixon left off at half-time and Hurt made a more than useful contribution in attack as the game went on.
There is certainly room for optimism as the competition in the Czech Republic draws near.
England (Isle of Man) Mark Blair (Grant Dawson 86), Julian Ringham (Mark Teare 86), Daniel Lace, Sean Quaye, Neil Shimmin (Michael Hooper 88), Lee Dixon (Jim Travers 45), Kevin Megson (Paul Jones 60), John Myers (Nick Hurt 45), Ross Williamson (Martin Reilly 69), Calum Morrissey, Chris Bass.
San Marino Alex Zanotti, Manuel Francesconi, Manuel Fabri, Alexando Baldiserra, Gianluca Bollini, Simone Valentini, Cristian Negri, Fabio Bollini, Elton Shabani, Nicola Canarezza, Simone Quieti. Subs used: Daniel Ceccoli, Marco Fantini, Davide Vagnetti, Mattia Bianchi, Marco Rattini, Matteo Sammaritant, Giacomo Benedettini.
