Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 3 FC Isle of Man 1

James Gale made it three goals in three games to put the seal on an improved Altrincham performance that earned them third place in the Isle of Man's Summer of Football Festival at The Bowl this afternoon.

The in-form striker went on as a second-half substitute and underlined his scoring prowess with a stoppage-time header that ensured there was no way back for the Isle of Man after they had taken an early lead in this hard-fought third-place play-off.

An own goal hauled Alty back on terms early in the second half, and when Keaton Ward opened his account for the Robins with a header soon after, Phil Parkinson's side were well on their way to a victory that was confirmed by Gale's late finish.

The Robins had  been in such complete control in the early stages that it came as something of a shock when the home side opened the scoring from virtually their first sight of Alty's goal in the 14th minute.

Up to that point, all the action had been at the other end, with Olly Crankshaw showing an eagerness to run at defenders and Kahrel Reddin ending one dazzling burst past three challenges with a cross that almost led to a breakthrough.

All it needed was an end product, but when one finally materialised, it was the Isle of Man who provided it.

Owen German was put under pressure by Adam Adebiyi, as he chased a bouncing ball back towards his own area, and when he failed to deal with it, the Isle of Man forward surged clear and found himself in a one-on-one with Luke Hutchinson.

The Alty keeper reacted superbly to parry the initial shot, but Adebiyi was on hand to squeeze the rebound inside the near post to give his side the lead against the run of play.

Alty continued to have the lion's share of possession, without looking overly threatening, though the busy, ever-energetic Matty Kosylo went close in the 42nd minute when he cut in from the right and curled a left foot shot narrowly wide of the far angle of bar and post.

Two goals in quick succession turned the game on its head early in the second half.

There was a slice of good fortune about the first, in the 57th minute, as Isle of Man defender Al Maitland went full length in an attempt to cut out a right-wing cross but succeeded only in diverting it past his own keeper with a spectacular diving header.

The second, eight minutes later, said everything about Ward's eye for an opening and ability to capitalise on it.

Lewis Banks nudged the ball into the heart of the Isle of Man area from the right, and Ward met it with a clever looping header that arced beyond the reach of the keeper and dipped just under the bar.

The lead could have been extended in the 76th minute when Gale teed up Charlie Kirk for an angled drive that flew narrowly wide of the far post.

A third goal did duly emerge in added time, and what a gem it was.

Remi Raymond chipped a delightful ball forward into the right side of the area, where Elliot Osborne reached it just before it went out of play and hooked a first-time cross into the six-yard box for Gale to head home from close range.

So, Alty's latest visit to the island ended in victory, and while there may be tougher, more significant tests ahead, there were positives to take from their third-place finish.

Not least, Gale's goals and further evidence that the Robins are well catered for in the full-back positions, with Lewis Banks and Tylor Golden already well established and, here in Douglas either side of midday, young Lucas Edwards showing up prominently in the first half and summer signing Sam Reed looking very much the part in the second half.

Altrincham Hutchinson (Fallon, 46'); Edwards (Reed, 46'), Baines (c) (Cooper, 46'), Marriott (Ward, 61'), Reddin (Kirk, 61'), Knowles (Gale, 61'), German (Banks, 46'), Kosylo (Osborne, 61'), Crawford (Raymond, 46'), Golden (Bailey, 46'), Crankshaw (Weaver, 61').

FC Isle of Man Killey (Wilkinson, 72'); Sherry, Cain (Booth, 66'), Watson (Watterson, 72'), Maitland (Cadwallader, 72'), Hudgeon, Whitley (c) (Craine, 72'), Gerrard (Dunn, 45'), Adebiyi, Pinnington (Wosser, 66'), Higgins (Middleton, 66'). 

Goals Own Goal 57', Ward 65', Gale 90' | Adebiyi 14'

Attendance Not announced

Next Up

We return to the mainland for week four of pre-season training ahead of Saturday's visit to Darlington.

Tickets for the game at Blackwell Meadows are available here priced £12 Adults, £10 65+/Disabled People/18-24s/Students, £5 12-17s & FREE accompanied u12s.