FC Isle of Man to start another hectic week at Charnock Richard

Ravens' latest run will see them face three games in five days

Another busy week awaits FC Isle of Man in the NWCFL Premier Division getting underway this evening (16 April) with a showdown against Charnock Richard.

The sides will meet in this rearranged tie at the Anchor Ground in Darwen as the Ravens begin a run of three games in five days.

The Manx side will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last meeting with their latest opposition when they surrendered a 2-0 lead at The Bowl in a spectacular second-half collapse to lose 5-3.

FC Isle of Man Manager, Paul Jones believes his team has come on 'leaps and bounds' since then:

Defeat at Barnoldswick Town on Saturday afternoon (13 April) officially ended FC Isle of Man's slim chances of reaching the promotion play-offs in the final stages of the campaign.

They sit ninth in the standings on 64 points after 42 games - 13 points behind fifth-placed Padiham in the final play-off spot but with only a maximum of 12 points left to play for.

However, that loss in Lancashire four days ago is a rare blot on what has otherwise been a strong run from FC Isle of Man towards the conclusion of the season.

The Ravens have won six of their last eight, meaning they've taken 18 points from a possible 24 in this recent spell.

Elsewhere, disruption to matches in recent months means Charnock Richard have only played 39 games in total - the lowest amount of any side in the division to date - leaving them with an intense fixture schedule right up to their final match on 25 April.

They've won just two of their last nine outings, however one of those was their most recent clash last Wednesday (10 April) with a late 2-1 victory over Litherland REMYCA.

What's more, Charnock Richard have won two of the three meetings with FC Isle of Man to now, including a resounding 5-1 win on home turf at Mossie Park over the Island outfit last season.

Charnock Richard vs FC Isle of Man takes place this evening at the rearranged venue of The Anchor Ground in Darwen with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm.

FC Isle of Man team news

Having been forced into naming an expanded squad during the weekend, Paul Jones reverts to a 16-man setup making the journey to Darwen this evening.

Six players drop out of the setup for Tuesday night - Ben Wilkinson, Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Furo Davies, Ryan Gartland and Alex Maitland.

Young goalkeeper Harry Callin gets a call-up whilst there's returns for Kyle Watson and Blake Henwood as part of a squad balancing a blend of youth and experience.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Charnock Richard

Harry Callin (GK), Adam Killey (GK), Jacob Crook, Tiernan Garvey, Dan Hattersley, Blake Henwood, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Harley Jackson, Frank Jones, Ronan McDonnell, Jack McVey, Callum Sherry, Max Shirley, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley