FC Isle of Man facing tough start to 2024 against Charnock Richard

Ravens to take on in-form side in first game of calendar year

After a winning end to 2023, FC Isle of Man face a tough start to the new year when they face an in-form Charnock Richard at The Bowl tomorrow evening (6 January).

The Ravens dispatched Burscough last weekend, bringing to an end a previous four-game losing streak.

The Manx side's manager, Paul Jones knows they face a stiff test at the weekend against a visiting side who're unbeaten in their last seventeen games in all competitions.

He adds his team will need to have the same work rate shown last time out if they're to get a result:

FC Isle of Man's victory last time out has cemented a 12th place spot in the NWCFL Premier Division standings going into the weekend - a win tomorrow could see them climb as high as eighth depending on results elsewhere.

The Island outfit had a mixed record in the last campaign against their latest visitors.

They were on the end of a comprehensive 5-1 defeat at Mossie Park on 1 October, 2022 but got revenge in the reverse fixture at The Bowl on 26 November 2022 as goals from Tom Creer and Dan Simpson helped them on their way to a 2-1 victory.

Meanwhile, although Charnock Richard currently sit three points and two places behind FC Isle of Man ahead of Saturday's meeting, their league position doesn't fully reflect their very strong form stretching back to mid-September.

In their 17-game unbeaten streak across all competitions they've won 12 of those and have only failed to score twice all season so far.

What's more, the Chorley-based side have only played 20 league games so far - the joint-lowest amount alongside Irlam - meaning they have numerous games in hand on other teams in the league.

FC Isle of Man vs Charnock Richard takes place at The Bowl this Saturday, 6 January, kicking-off at 6pm.

Manx Radio will be providing full live match commentary on our DAB and AM1368 channels.

FC Isle of Man team news

Four changes are made to the FC Isle of Man squad which secured victory last weekend.

In terms of incoming personnel, Ronan McDonnell could make his first appearance of the season with Dan Simpson, Eoghain Sherrard and Michael Williams also coming back into the mix.

Midfielder Tiernan Garvey is unavailable due to illness with Blake Henwood, Tom Creer and Jack McVey also dropping out.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Charnock Richard

Ben Wilkinson (GK), Jamie Corlett, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Danny Gerrard, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Frank Jones, Phil Kelly, Alex Maitland, Ronan McDonnell, Dean Pinnington, Dan Simpson, Eoghain Sherrard, Kyle Watson, Michael Williams