Isle of Man Football Squad win FA Inter League Cup
13th May, 2014
The Isle of Man Senior Mens Football Squad are going to Europe next season after winning the 2014 FA Inter-League Cup at the Bowl on Saturday afternoon.(10th May)
Having won the competition in 2006, the Manx men were determined to make up for for the heartbreak of the 2012 final when they lost 2-1 in extra-time to Jersey.
Playing the Hertfordshire Senior County League at the Bowl with an attendance of more than 1200 spectators, it was just 12 minutes into the match when Lee Gale put the Isle of Man in front to lead by 1-0. Good defending from Herts held this score until half time.
The Manx emerged from manager, Stevie Burns pep talk and within minutes of the re-start Gale initiated a counter-attack which resulted in Chris Bass Jr crossing to Frank Jones to put the ball in at the far post and double the score.
Just four minutes later it was Chris Bass Jnrs turn when he punished the opponents poor passing to steal the ball and rocket it ball past the Herts keeper for 3-0.
The score remained until the 85th minute when a Herts striker broke loose and fired past Max Thomas and then four minutes later a Herts player was brought down in the penalty area and the visitors made it 3-2
However, despite a very nervous, seemingly never-ending six minutes of injury time, the Isle of Man were able to hold on be crowned FA Inter-League Cup champions for a second time to earn the right to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup - a fantastic achievement.
