FC Isle of Man hoping to keep slim promotion play-off chances alive

Ravens welcome Lower Breck for penultimate home game of season

With a slim outside chance of reaching the NWCFL Premier Division promotion play-offs, FC Isle of Man hold their penultimate home game of the season tomorrow evening (6 April).

Merseyside outfit Lower Breck face the Ravens at The Bowl at 6pm on Saturday night in a meeting of two of the current in-form sides in the league.

In the reverse fixture a late Ethan Hawley strike earned the Manx side a 1-1 draw against their opponents.

FC Isle of Man Manager, Paul Jones believes his team will have to perform far better than they did back then to get a result this time around:

Eleventh in the table on 58 points going into the weekend, FC Isle of Man currently reside 16 points adrift of the final promotion play-off spot in fifth currently occupied by Prestwich Heys.

However, the Island side face an ever-intensifying end-of-season schedule with seven games all to be played before the last day of the campaign on 20 April meaning up to 21 points are up for grabs.

The squad enters this busy period in good form with four wins in their last six - the latest of which an impressive 3-2 home victory over promotion-hopefuls Chadderton.

Meanwhile, after a tough first few months of the season Lower Breck have roared into life as it's worn on with results propelling them up to eighth in the standings.

Gary Moore's side have three wins from their last four outings including a commanding 3-0 victory over Pilkington on Easter Monday (1 April).

FC Isle of Man vs Lower Breck takes place at The Bowl this Saturday, 6 April, kicking-off at 6pm.

Manx Radio will be providing full live match commentary on our DAB and AM1368 channels.

Separately, FC Isle of Man has also confirmed new dates and venues for three previously postponed matches.

The team's tie away at Irlam - postponed on Wednesday this week (3 April) - will now take place on Thursday, 18 April, at 7.45pm at The RG3 Digital Stadium.

Elsewhere, the away match at Colne on Friday, 12 April, at 7.45pm will now be held at the MPM Stadium and the Manx team's visit to Charnock Richard on Tuesday, 16 April, at 7.45pm has been moved to the Anchor Ground in Darwen.

FC Isle of Man team news

There are three changes to the FC Isle of Man team which overcame Chadderton six days ago.

Kyle Watson and Ste Whitley are both unavailable - defender Callum Sherry returns to the squad after serving a suspension whilst midfielder Sam Baines comes back into contention to make his first appearance since late September 2023.

Ethan Hawley also drops out with Harley Jackson back in the mix to feature.

Sean Doyle, Frank Jones, Michael Williams and Eoghain Sherrard - who all missed last weekend's contest - remain absent.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Lower Breck

Adam Killey (GK), Sam Baines, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Furo Davies, Ryan Gartland, Tiernan Garvey, Danny Gerrard, Dan Hattersley, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Harley Jackson, Phil Kelly, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Callum Sherry