FC Isle of Man face final away trip of season at Irlam

First call-up for Adebiyi for rearranged tie in Manchester

FC Isle of Man face their final away trip of the 2023/24 season this evening (18 April) when they travel to Irlam in the NWCFL Premier Division.

The rearranged fixture is the second part of a busy schedule this week for the Ravens who are navigating their way through three games in the space of five days.

On Tuesday night (16 April) a Jack McVey strike earned the Manx side a 1-1 draw against Charnock Richard in Darwen.

During this busy fortnight of matches, FC Isle of Man Manager Paul Jones says ensuring the players stay healthy on this run to the end of the campaign is important:

Thursday's fixture has faced continued disruption through the season having been postponed four times due to poor weather.

Having had to be rescheduled in both September and October 2023, it was called off again in both February and earlier this month due because of adverse conditions.

FC Isle of Man's recent good run of six wins in their last nine sees them ninth in the league standings - maximum points in Manchester tonight could see them go level with Lower Breck above them in eighth.

Irlam and their Island visitors last met on 27 January where a Sean Doyle strike proved the difference in a narrow 1-0 win for FC Isle of Man at The Bowl.

Despite sitting six points behind the Ravens and four places below them in 13th in the table, Irlam continue to boast one of the best defensive records in the league.

They've conceded just 59 goals in 43 games - only the top three sides of Wythenshawe FC, Wythenshawe Town and Bury have better defensive statistics.

What's more, Irlam were victorious the last time they hosted the Manx outfit in September 2022, putting FC Isle of Man to the sword in a 3-1 win.

Irlam vs FC Isle of Man takes place tonight at The RG3 Digital Stadium, kicking-off at 7.45pm.

FC Isle of Man team news

The demands of a busy midweek schedule means there are more changes afoot for the FC Isle of Man squad, this time both on the pitch and in the dugout.

Assistant Manager Alex Harrison and coach Gareth Lloyd will take charge in the absence of manager Paul Jones.

Elsewhere in the team itself, there's a new face in Adam Adebiyi who could make his Ravens debut on Thursday evening.

In a more compact 14-man squad, Dan Hattersley, Ronan McDonnell, Harry Callin and Max Shirley all drop out.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Irlam

Adam Killey (GK), Adam Adebiyi, Jacob Crook, Tiernan Garvey, Daniel Gerrard, Blake Henwood, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Harley Jackson, Frank Jones, Jack McVey, Callum Sherry, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley