Hospital Cup takes centre stage in Manx football

Weekend football preview

With an historic treble in their sights, St Marys have been handed a tough preliminary round tie when they host Rushen in the Keystone Law Hospital Cup this weekend.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Croit Lowey back on January 19 as they prepare to meet at The Bowl on Saturday.

Holders St Georges travel to Division Two side Gymns with the competition providing their only chance of silverware this campaign.

Peel are firm favourites to progress as they host second tier Union Mills, while Old Boys will have to be at their best if they're to dump out Pulrose, who are looking increasingly likely to be playing top flight football next season.

Perhaps interestingly, two teams who are involved in the Canada Life Premier League relegation scrap go head-to-head as Glen Road, as Laxey take on St Johns.

The match will act as a precursor to their intriguing league fixture on Tuesday, with both clubs battling for survival.

This weekend's league action sees Corinthians welcome Marown to Ballafletcher, meanwhile in JCK Division Two, Ramsey Youth Centre can move six points clear at the top if they beat fellow promotion hopefuls Malew.

KEYSTONE LAW HOSPITAL CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND (2pm KO unless stated)

Ayre v Colby

DHSOB v Pulrose

Foxdale v Castletown

Gymns v St Georges

Laxey v St Johns

Michael v Douglas Royal

Onchan v Douglas & District

Peel v Union Mills

St Marys v Rushen (2.30pm KO)

CANADA LIFE PREMIER LEAGUE (2.30pm KO)

Corinthians v Marown

JCK LIMITED DIVISION TWO (2.30pm KO)

RYCOB v Malew

CANADA LIFE COMBINATION ONE (2.30pm KO)

Braddan v St Georges