Oakwood EDRS 1
South Manx A 3

South Manx boss John Nitka hailed his team’s “best performance of the season” as the leaders opened a six-point gap at the top of JC MSFL Division One with a comfortable win over their nearest challengers.

In a battle featuring teams promoted from Division Two last season, it was the visitors who ran out worthy winners with clinical finishing the difference between the sides.

The Manx started brightly in a game where the opening stages featured strong challenges from both sides. Oakwood’s Rob Davidson was rightly cautioned for a late tackle on Shai Davidi.

The opening goal came midway through the first half when Ben Levy’s high ball was met at the far post by Davidi who neatly controlled and smashed home to the keeper’s right.

In search of an equaliser, Oakwood’s Rob Bloch saw his free-kick narrowly miss the target as the visitors went into the break a goal to the good.

The Manx continued in the same vain in the second half and after 30 seconds, looked like they would increase the lead but Dan Kent’s thunderbolt hit the woodwork. The lead was doubled on 50 minutes when substitute Rob Hershkorn neatly slotted home.

The game was as good as over after 75 minutes when intelligent play from Jamie Kent saw him neatly square the ball for Elliott Stern who made no mistake finding the target.

The goal of the game came in the last minute when Oakwood’s Dan Ash struck home from 30 yards to reduce the deficit, but it proved too little, too late as the Manx went six points clear.

Manx boss John Nitka said: “We are capable of playing like this every week. Our defence was immense and the commitment of the rest of the team was superb.”

Oakwood joint-manager Jonny Beilin commented: “We didn’t get going and although we were missing some influential players, it serves as no excuse. To be fair South Manx put in a very hard working and determined performance and we didn’t match it. We won’t dwell on it too long as the games are coming thick and fast and we’re looking forward to what I’m sure will be a tricky test against Brixton on Sunday.”

Oakwood: Krotosky, Geey (sub: Ash), Davidson, Bloch, Blank, Manson, Berke (sub: Isaacs), Beilin, Abrams (sub: Tussie), R Bloch, Kintish

South Manx: Shields, Franklin, Harris, Littas, Levy, Davidi (sub: R Hershkorn), Stern, Haik, J Kent, D Kent, Babai