Squires Gate the next destination for FC Isle of Man

Ravens hunting improved result after stuttering run

After a run of four games without a win, FC Isle of Man will be hoping to rediscover some form when they travel to face Squires Gate in the NWCFL Premier Division this weekend (16 September).

Going into Saturday, 11 points separate FC Isle of Man in mid-table and a Squires Gate side currently second-from-bottom of the league standings.

However, the Ravens will be wary of their opponents who beat them both home and away last season.

FC Isle of Man Manager, Paul Jones, knows his team can't be complacent in what is proving a highly-competitive league across the board right now:

Despite registering three defeats and one draw in their last four outings, FC Isle of Man currently reside on a steady 16 points from their opening 11 fixtures of this latest campaign.

Their hosts this weekend meanwhile have had a challenging start so far with just one win registered in their twelve games to date, including nine defeats.

However, in spite of the current league placings in these early stages, it's Squires Gate who hold the upper hand on form between these two teams as it stands.

The Blackpool-based outfit inflicted a sobering 4-1 defeat on FC Isle of Man at The Bowl on 28 January this year before emerging 3-2 victors again over the Ravens less than a month later in the reverse fixture on 8 February.

Squires Gate vs FC Isle of Man takes place at The Brian Addison Stadium this Saturday, kicking-off at 2pm.

FC Isle of Man team news

Several changes come into effect for Paul Jones' side for this weekend's venture, some of which are enforced - last week's man of the match, Callum Sherry, and Tom Shimmin are both out of Saturday's clash due to injury.

Ryan Burns and Eoghain Sherrard are called up as defensive options.

Further forward, FC Isle of Man will be boosted by the return of Ste Whitley in midfield - who'll feature in the squad for the first time since early August after injury absence - with Sean Doyle also back in contention after missing last week's home defeat to Prestwich Heys.

Joe Quayle and Tom Creer are the other team members to drop out of this weekend's lineup.

FC Isle of Man squads vs Squires Gate

Ben Wilkinson, Sam Baines, Connor Birch, Ryan Burns, Jacob Crook, Furo Davies, Sean Doyle, Tiernan Garvey, Frank Jones, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Dean Pinnington, Eoghain Sherrard, Joe Walters, Michael Willliams, Ste Whitley