Busy double-header awaits for FC Isle of Man

Ravens face Colne tonight before Barnoldswick Town on Saturday

A grueling double-header of two games in two days awaits FC Isle of Man in the NWCFL Premier Division, starting this evening (12 April).

The Ravens face Colne at the MPM Stadium at 7.45pm tonight before a relatively short trip across Lancashire to take on Barnoldswick Town from 3pm on Saturday.

Heading into a busy 48 hours, the Island side remain in strong form with five wins from their last six including a narrow victory over Chadderton on Tuesday (9 April).

Ahead of Friday's challenge, FC Isle of Man Manager Paul Jones was asked what might be the key to his team's recent good run:

FC Isle of Man's midweek win means they remain in with a slim shout of being in contention for the promotion play-offs in the remaining weeks of the season.

They sit 11th in the standings on 61 points - 13 points behind Padiham in the final play-off place in fifth - but with 18 points still up for grabs in the last six games.

However, to maintain progress Jones and his players will have to produce an improved display against a Colne side which beat the Ravens 2-0 at The Bowl back in December 2023.

Meanwhile, Colne face a mammoth programme of matches this month due to a series of postponements and rearrangements as a result of recent poor weather.

Their total of 38 games played to date is the lowest of any side in the NWCFL Premier Division at this stage.

Despite this, the Lancashire side's recent form has remained positive amid the disruption - they've won their last three on the bounce, the latest of those a 3-2 victory over promotion-hopefuls Padiham on Wednesday (10 April).

Elsewhere tomorrow, the Ravens make will then make the brief trip to the Silentnight Stadium and Barnoldswick Town at 3pm.

Both FC Isle of Man and 'Barlick' have been pretty evenly-matched in their last three meetings - both have one win over each other along with a 3-3 draw at The Bowl last season.

Jones explains what makes Saturday's opponents tough to break down:

FC Isle of Man team news

With the prospect of two matches in the space of less than 24 hours, Paul Jones names an expanded 21-man squad for the weekend.

All of those in the squad for FC Isle of Man's midweek triumph over Chadderton are included again with the exceptions of the unavailable Eoghain Sherrard and Sam Baines.

Among the names coming in to boost numbers Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Harley Jackson, Ronan McDonnell and Max Shirley

Goalkeeper Ben Wilkinson also returns to the setup for the first time since late February.

FC Isle of Man squad to face Colne (12-4-24) and Barnoldswick Town (13-4-24)

Adam Killey (GK), Ben Wilkinson (GK), Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Furo Davies, Ryan Gartland, Tiernan Garvey, Daniel Gerrard, Dan Hattersley, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Harley Jackson, Frank Jones, Phil Kelly, Alex Maitland, Ronan McDonnell, Jack McVey, Callum Sherry, Max Shirley, Ste Whitley