FC Isle of Man back at The Bowl to host Cheadle Town

It'll mark the start of five consecutive home games for the Ravens

Two weeks since their last outing, FC Isle of Man face a fellow in-form side in Cheadle Town at The Bowl on Saturday night (25 November) in the NWCFL Premier Division.

Tomorrow's clash marks the start of a run of five consecutive home league matches for the Manx side as they look to continue their charge towards the promotion spots in the final weeks of 2023.

As it stands, 14 points separate the Ravens in seventh in the table and Cheadle Town in 20th spot.

However, FC Isle of Man Manager, Paul Jones warns his side can't be complacent against an opponent which has been flourishing in recent weeks outside of the league:

This weekend's match will be the fourth time both sides have met having both faced off in NWCFL Division One South in the Ravens inaugural campaign in 2021/22.

A Ryan Usher double handed Cheadle Town a 2-1 win during the first meeting at the Park Road Stadium in October 2021 before the Island side got revenge in January 2022 in an entertaining 5-2 victory over the Manchester-based outfit.

The two clubs were to meet a third time in that campaign this time in the second round of the First Division Challenge Cup in March 2022 on Cheadle Town soil - goals from Nathan Cardy and Ronan McDonnell would hand FC Isle of Man a 2-0 win.

Fast forward to now, and both go into this fourth encounter in good veins of form.

For FC Isle of Man they've lost just once since 30 September with a record of four wins and two draws between then and now - as a result they currently sit within the top five sides in the NWCFL Premier Division in terms of form over the last six games.

Maximum points for the hosts this weekend could see them go within two points of the promotion play-off positions at this stage depending on results around them on Saturday.

Meanwhile, whilst Cheadle Town occupy a much lower place in the table currently, their performances across all competitions in recent weeks is something the Ravens will need to be wary of.

The visitors have won nine of their last 11 contests across the NWCFL Premier Division, FA Vase, Cheshire Senior Cup and Macron Cup since 30 September.

FC Isle of Man vs Cheadle Town takes place at The Bowl this Saturday (25 November), kicking-off at 6pm.

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

FC Isle of Man team news

There are four changes to Paul Jones' side from the one which earned a 1-0 victory on home soil against Pilkington in the team's last clash on 11 November.

In defence, Ryan Burns replaces Eoghain Sherrard whilst in midfield Tiernan Garvey and Joe Quayle come in for Danny Gerrard and Charlie Higgins.

Up front, young striker Tom Creer is called up in place of the experienced Furo Davies

FC Isle of Man squad vs Cheadle Town

Ben Wilkinson (GK), Ryan Burns, Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Tiernan Garvey, Frank Jones, Alex Maitland, Dean Pinnington, Joe Quayle, Callum Sherry, Dan Simpson, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley, Michael Williams