FC IoM prepare for mammoth West Didsbury & Chorlton test

League rivals of last season currently in contrasting form

After suffering late heartbreak at the weekend, FC Isle of Man will be looking to pick themselves up when they return to league action again this evening (11 October).

The Ravens travel to Manchester tonight in the NWCFL Premier Division to face last season's league rivals, West Didsbury & Chorlton, at the Step Places Stadium.

After conceding a last-gasp goal in a 1-0 home defeat to Padiham on Saturday (8 October), FC IoM sit 17th in the table on 13 points.

Meanwhile, West Didsbury & Chorlton have enjoyed a superb start to life in the new campaign.

They lie seventh in the league standings and eleven points better off than the Manx side.

FC Isle of Man Manager, Chris Bass, thinks his side will have to be at their best to get a result:

Both teams were involved in a thrilling top-of-the-table battle during last season which saw them both promoted from NWCFL Div 1 South.

In the 2021-22 campaign, West Didsbury & Chorlton were comfortable 3-0 winners over the Ravens on home soil.

However, the Island side then got revenge in the reverse fixture at The Bowl in April this year as they fought back from 3-1 down to take a 4-3 victory against their opponents in a thrilling encounter.

Come the end of the season, West Didsbury & Chorlton secured top spot in the NWCFL Div 1 North with a commanding points tally with FC Isle of Man finishing second and earning promotion via the play-offs.

As things stand now, both teams go into tonight's latest face-off in contrasting form.

FC Isle of Man have two wins in their last six games in all competitions, losing the other four.

Meanwhile, 'West' boast a sensational run of five wins in the same amount of games, including a hard-fought 3-2 victory at home against Congleton Town last weekend.

West Didsbury & Chorlton vs FC Isle of Man kicks-off at the Step Places Stadium at 7.45pm tonight.

FC Isle of Man squad vs West Didsbury & Chorlton

James Rice, Karl Clark, Jacob Crook, Sean Quaye, Chris Bass jnr., Tiernan Garvey, Charlie Higgins, Jack McVey, Adam Mealin, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley, Tom Creer, Ciaran McNulty, Dominic McHarrie-Brennan, Luke Murray, Lewis Roberts