FC Isle of Man hoping to break Squires Gate curse

Ravens have lost all four meetings with Blackpool-based side so far

They've become a proverbial 'bogey team' for FC Isle of Man over the last couple of years and Squires Gate will be looking to upset 'The Ravens' again in the NWCFL Premier Division tomorrow afternoon (9 November).

The Blackpool-based side have won all four meetings between the teams to date as the Island outfit look to break the current hoodoo against their opposition in pursuit of a fifth straight victory.

In the last two away trips against Squires Gate, FC Isle of Man have surrendered winning positions to come away empty-handed.

However, Manager Paul Jones feels his team has come a long way since then:

Whilst the head-to-head record is firmly in favour of Luke Evans' Squires Gate, it's a completely different story in terms of individual league form so far.

On a run of four consecutive victories, FC Isle of Man's current haul of 39 points from 22 games sees them go into the weekend fifth in the table, just inside the promotion play-off spots.

A number of clubs are, however, circling around them hoping to see the Manx side slip up, just three points separates FC Isle of Man in fifth down to Stockport Town in ninth.

Squires Gate meanwhile sit 19th out of the 24 sides with six wins from their opening 22 matches.

They sit comfortably clear of the relegation zone currently and second-from-bottom Prestwich Heys on nine points, however they go into the weekend with the leakiest defence in the division.

They've conceded 55 times so far in the league - more than any other so far - and head into Saturday following back-to-back defeats to Cheadle Town and West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Squires Gate vs FC Isle of Man takes place this Saturday, 9 November, at The Brian Addison Stadium kicking-off at 1pm.

FC Isle of Man team news

Paul Jones makes just two changes to the team which earned a 3-1 home win six days ago against Abbey Hey.

Experienced striker Dan Hattersley drops out as does young midfielder Nathan Little.

Coming in are Jack McVey and Ronan McDonnell - elsewhere, both Sam Baines and Ste Whitley feature on the teamsheet once more to put them both in contention to make their 20th appearances of the current campaign.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Squires Gate

Adam Killey (GK), Sam Baines, Luke Booth, Ryan Burns, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Danny Gerrard, Charlie Higgins, Alex Maitland, Ronan McDonnell, Jack McVey, Dean Pinnington, Callum Sherry, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley