Pulrose and Castletown are the early pace setters in the Division Two race for the promised land of the Premier League.
Both sides won midweek to maintain their winning start to the early season.
Dean Turton from Upfront Footy had this to say about Pulrose’s game:
Pulrose United AFC started their clash against Douglas Royal on the front foot, creating chances from minute one. Arran Larrassey escaped down the right and his driven ball almost fell perfectly for Jason Kelch, who could only find the side netting at the back post. Moments later Brian Lowther’s header from a corner forced James Lowey into a sharp save, and when the keeper tried to release quickly, Barry English intercepted. His cross picked out Owen Canipa who lifted his effort onto the roof of the net.
Royals finally threatened when Simon Dooley delivered from deep and found Ste Collister, but the forward rushed his chance and his effort was weak. Pulrose immediately responded with more pressure. English squared for Canipa, only for Anthony Murdoch to block on the line. Canipa then broke clear twice in quick succession, flashing one across the goalmouth before being denied one-on-one by Lowey. Kelch was also frustrated by the keeper again, nodding goalwards only to see Lowey save again.
Pulrose came closest yet when James Maginn lined up a free-kick from 18 yards and struck it powerfully only to be denied the upright. The breakthrough came on 39 minutes. Substitute Nay Halsall’s corner was only half cleared to the edge of the box, where fellow sub, Joe Canip, met it with a low volley into the bottom corner.
HT: Royals 0–1 Pulrose.
Second Half
Pulrose doubled their lead just 33 seconds after the restart. A cross from the right found O Canipa unmarked and he guided his header into the net. Royals were then handed a lifeline when Maginn clipped Jordan Cowin inside the six-yard box. Bailey Ashton made no mistake from the spot to reduce the deficit to one.
That gave Royals energy, with Ashton, Collister, and Carl Hickey seeing more of the ball, but Pulrose struck again on 65 minutes. Calum Holden surged down the left and delivered a superb ball across the face for Halsall to nip in behind and finish at the far post.
Royals fought back. Collister, clearly offside, forced a save from Russ Dawson, and from the resulting corner Sam Greasly powered a header against the post. At the other end Owen Canipa broke clear but went for the audacious chip and only found the roof of the net.
The game tightened with both sides using their rolling subs to keep it fresh, but Royals struck late. Ashton played wide to Collister, his cross caused pinball in the box, and Josh Harrison eventually smashed the loose ball home from ten yards. Six minutes were added and Royals pressed hard, but Pulrose slowed the game and defended deep to secure the points.
FT: Royals 2–3 Pulrose.
Castletown
Castletown hit five for the second time in two games as they beat D&D on Tuesday night.
Goals from Alex Crawley (2), Alastair Ronan and Rob Teare went unanswered as they won 0-5.
Elsewhere Colby beat Governors 3-5 in a highly entertaining game as Jordan Edge (2) and Oliver Edge led the way on the score sheets, backed up by James Galloway and Sebastian Spiers.
James Milliner, William Sweeney and David Talbot scored in response for Govs.
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