Ravens looking to kick on at Burscough

FC Isle of Man seeking more points after ending barren run

After ending a winless run of seven matches last weekend, FC Isle of Man will be aiming to kick on further as they travel to face Burscough in the NWCFL Premier Division tomorrow afternoon (7 October).

Last Saturday saw the Ravens claim their first victory since 26 August with a 1-0 win over in-form Wythenshawe FC with their match against Charnock Richard on Tuesday now postponed until next month.

This fixture last season in October 2022 saw a feast of goals in which the Manx side emerged winners - Burscough then got revenge with a dramatic late win at The Bowl in January this year.

FC Isle of Man Manager, Paul Jones, believes their better defensive performances in recent games could be key to attaining another result on Saturday:

By coincidence, when FC Isle of Man won this particular tie last season on 5 October 2022, that also ended a seven-game winless streak for the Island outfit at the time, with FC Isle of Man bucking that same trend last weekend with the home win over Wythenshawe FC.

The two ties between these teams in the 2022/23 campaign provided plenty of goalmouth action with 18 goals scored between them across two matches.

A Ravens victory at The Community Ground by a 7-4 scoreline was followed by Burscough claiming a last-gasp 4-3 win over the Manx side at The Bowl a couple of months later.

In the present, FC Isle of Man currently sit 14th in the NWCFL Premier Division standings on 20 points - they could move as high as 11th this weekend with a victory and depending on some results around them.

Their recent form over the last six games of one win, one draw and four defeats remains one of the poorest in that period right now - only bottom-of-the-table Skelmersdale United have had a worse run.

Meanwhile, this weekend's hosts, Burscough, sit 19th in the division and six points worse off than FC Isle of Man at this stage.

However, a recent boost in performances has seen them win three of their last six with a draw also within that spell, meaning they're currently eighth in the form book.

Burscough vs FC Isle of Man takes place at The Community Ground this Saturday, 7 October, kicking-off at 3pm.

FC Isle of Man team news

Paul Jones makes three changes to his squad which earned the narrow victory over Wythenshawe FC at The Bowl last Saturday.

In defence, Alex Maitland - who was unavailable last weekend - returns whilst Ryan Burns and Jamie Corlett drop out.

Another returning after unavailability in recent weeks is Dean Leece to add to the midfield options with Kyle Watson making way.

Joe Walters is also back to boost the depth in the midfield and attacking areas.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Burscough

Ben Wilkinson (GK), Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Tiernan Garvey, Charlie Higgins, Frank Jones, Dean Leece, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Dean Pinnington, Joe Quayle, Callum Sherry, Eoighain Sherrard, Michael Williams, Ste Whitley, Joe Walters