FC IoM to face AFC Darwen for place in cup semi-finals

Winner will secure home tie in next stage

After a successful league campaign, FC Isle of Man have the chance to edge closer to potential cup glory this bank holiday weekend.

They travel to Lancashire on Monday, 2 May to face NWCFL Div 1 North side AFC Darwen in the quarter-finals of the First Division Challenge Cup.

The winner of the tie will secure a home semi-final clash against Holker Old Boys on the weekend of Saturday, 7 May.

The Ravens have reached this point in the competition after two impressive displays from youthful sides in the previous stages.

Both victories came against sides they've faced in the NWCFL Div 1 South this season - the first a 2-0 win away at Cheadle Town on 9 March before overcoming Sandbach United 2-1, also away from home, on 18 April.

The Ravens have suffered defeat only once during 2022 in all competitions when a much-changed FC IoM side went down 2-0 away to NWCFL Premier Division side AFC Liverpool  on 16 March in the first round of the Macron Cup.

Meanwhile, their opponents this weekend, AFC Darwen, began their journey to this stage of the tournament with a 3-2 home win over Nelson on 23 February in the first round, before beating St Helens Town away by the same scoreline in the second stage on 10 March.

They then received a bye in third round having originally been scheduled to face Campion to reach the quarter-finals point.

Despite a challenging league campaign in NWCFL Div 1 North this season which saw the Lancashire outfit finish 17th in the standings, 'The Salmoners' have put together an impressive run of form toward the end of the season, winning five of their last six games in call competitions.

AFC Darwen vs FC Isle of Man will take place at the WEC Anchor Ground on Monday, 2 May, kicking-off at 1.45pm

Manx Radio will be providing full live match commentary of the clash on our AM1368 and Digital platforms.