FC IoM aim to make history in play-off final

A win for the Ravens would see them promoted in first ever league season

FC Isle of Man will be aiming to make history this weekend when they take on New Mills in the NWCFL Div 1 South play-off final at The Bowl this Saturday (16 April).

The Ravens booked their place in the final with a 3-0 victory over Wythenshawe Amateurs on Manx soil last week (9 April).

Victory for them this weekend would see them promoted to the NWCFL Premier Division in their first ever league season.

However, they take on a New Mills side who've enjoyed a similarly impressive campaign in 2021/22.

'The Millers' earned their spot in the final with a hard-fought, late 1-0 win over a strong Abbey Hey side at Church Lane last Saturday.

So, how do the two opponents match up ahead of Saturday's monumental clash?

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two sides first locked horns at New Mills' Church Lane ground under the floodlights on Tuesday, 28 September.

That resulted in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with Sean Doyle and Ste Whitley on the scoresheet for the Ravens and Richard Tindall with a double for the home side.

Fast-forward to 3 January this year to the return fixture at The Bowl where FC IoM secured a narrow 2-1 victory - Ste Whitley and Lee Gale were on target for the Ravens with Joe Bevan hitting the net for the Derbyshire club.

Elsewhere, over the 38-game season and play-off semi-finals, FC IoM go into the tie with a superior goalscoring record - the Manx side have netted 126 goals in those, with New Mills bagging 113.

But the Derbyshire club boast a stronger defensive record - New Mills have conceded 44, ten less than FC IoM (54).

RECENT FORM

FC Isle of Man (last six games) : DLWWWW

The Ravens come into the tie on the back of four straight wins, picking up clean sheets in two of those against St Martins (9-0) on 19 March, and in the play-off semi-final against Wythenshawe Amateurs (3-0) on 9 April.

Before that saw FC IoM's only defeat in all competitions in 2022 on 16 March, going down 2-0 away against AFC Liverpool of the division above with a vastly-changed Manx side taking to the pitch that evening.

That followed a hard-fought 1-1 draw at The Bowl on 12 March against fellow play-off contenders of the time, Abbey Hey, who were knocked out in the semi-finals last weekend.

New Mills (last six games): DWWLWL

The Millers last three results have been mixed, and could largely be a reflection on how much rotation the team has had to undertake during a busy schedule of both league and cup commitments.

Their impressive 1-0 win over Abbey Hey in the play-off semi-final last week (9 April) - Wth Joe Bevan providing a dramatic 92nd minute winner - is sandwiched between two midweek defeats away to Cheadle Heath Nomads  in the First Division Cup where wholesale squad rotation came into play.

However, the first of those two cup ties was abandoned part-way through due to a serious injury in the Cheadle Heath Nomads squad, before the game was re-played in full the following week, with Cheadle Heath Nomads emerging 6-1 winners.

Prior to that, the Derbyshire side took commanding victories over Alsager Town (4-0) and Cheadle Town (3-0) on 2 April and 29 March respectively.

Those results came after New Mills were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Wythenshawe Amateurs who were knocked out of the play-offs by FC IoM last week.

TEAM NEWS

FC Isle of Man

Chris Bass will likely be happy with the timely returns of the likes of Michael Williams, Lee Gale, Chris Cannell and Ste Whitley to the squad after all returned to training off the back on respective injuries.

One player who will definitely be absent is Adam Mealin, who's serving a suspension after picking up a red card during the play-off semi-final win over Wythenshawe Amateurs last time out.

Questions remain over the availability of young winger, Charlie Higgins, who returned from injury to play an influential 45 minutes in the 2-1 win over Abbey Hulton United on 2 April - however Higgins was absent from the team sheet for last week's play-off semi-final.

Some Ravens fans may also be waiting to see if influential midfielder, Jack McVey, may return this weekend, after he was a late omission from the squad last time out

New Mills

The visiting side are expected to have a full or near-full strength squad available for the trip to The Bowl this coming Saturday.

The side made major squad changes for their midweek First Division Cup clash, meaning key first team figures are expected to be well rested.

Important figures such as Darren McKnight, Benito Lowe, Joe Bevan and captain, Mason Fallon are among the strong contingent expected to be part of the crucial tie.

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FC Isle of Man vs New Mills will take place at The Bowl on Saturday (16 April), kicking-off at 6.30pm

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