2.30pm 4 March 2023
Isle of Man Premier League
Onchan 1 Unions Mills 5 (att 56)
A first visit to the Isle of Man for several years, and I had plenty of games to pick from on Saturday afternoon. I opted for Onchan mainly because I was intrigued by the club's home ground, Nivison Stadium.
It's the go-to place for stock car racing on the island, and the centrepiece of Onchan Pleasure Park, which also caters for more sedate pastimes with a boating lake, bowling green and pitch-and-putt course.
The stadium is better designed for motorsports fans than football followers. It has two stands and open terracing, all well back from the pitch and with protective fences separating spectators from the action.
Much of the outer perimeter also doubles as a holding area for scrap cars, perhaps waiting their turn on the raceway. Thankfully though, there's no restriction on football supporters standing on the edge of the pitch.
Onchan went into the game in a relegation position, and stayed there after a heavy defeat to second placed Union Mills. The score was harsh on the home side though.
There was little between the two teams in the first half, and the visitors were fortunate to have a 1-0 lead by the break. Even when they doubled their lead Ochan looked capable of getting back into the game.
A third away goal effectively ended the contest. Then a flurry of late goals saw Union Mills get a fourth, a home consolation from a well-taken free kick, and a stoppage time fifth for the visitors.
After the Onchan game, via a brief return to our hotel, I went to the Douglas Bowl to see FC Isle of Man beat Winsford United 1-0 in a 6pm kick off. It wasn't a new ground so no blog post, but if you want to read about the Bowl here's a blog post I wrote earlier.
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