Ravens return home to face title-hopefuls Bury

FC Isle of Man back at The Bowl for the first time in nearly a month

After nearly a month on the road, FC Isle of Man are back on home turf tomorrow evening for one of the biggest spectacles of the NWCFL Premier Division season.

Hundreds of travelling supporters are once again expected to descend on the Island as 'The Ravens' host title-hopefuls Bury at The Bowl on Saturday (7 September) with kick-off at 6pm.

Following a tough run of one win in six in August, the Manx side got September off to the best possible start with a 3-1 win at Prestwich Heys on Tuesday evening.

FC Isle of Man Manager Paul Jones hopes that could help boost confidence levels going into what he hopes will be another big occasion against a strong opponent:

The Island hosts' midweek triumph means they head into this weekend rooted in mid-table in 12th position with 11 points in total - a win on Saturday could propel them as high as ninth depending on results around them.

However, FC Isle of Man have yet to taste victory at home since the start of the league campaign - in their two home fixtures to date they were involved in a 2-2 opening day draw with Chadderton whilst they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against ten-man Longridge Town on 10 August.

Meanwhile - after the heartbreak of a penalty shootout defeat in last season's promotion play-off final - Dave McNabb's Bury have started this new season with intent.

'The Shakers' are currently undefeated in all competitions - in the league they're one of only two teams alongside second-placed Chadderton who are yet to experience a loss.

What's more, they took maximum points on their last visit to The Bowl as a Sam Burns double helped them to a 2-0 win over FC Isle of Man on 18 February.

Speaking to Manx Radio, Bury FC kitman Jon Walsh explains both the squad and the Bury supporters always look forward to the experience of visiting the Island:

FC Isle of Man vs Bury takes place at The Bowl in Douglas this Saturday (7 September), with kick-off scheduled for 6pm.

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

FC Isle of Man team news

Paul Jones has at least two enforced changes to his squad which came away with maximum points at Prestwich Heys in midweek.

Jack McVey is off-Island an unavailable whilst Charlie Higgins starts his suspension for receiving a straight red card in FC Isle of Man's 1-1 draw at Colne on Saturday, 31 August.

Dan Hattersley is also unavailable for selection.

Coming in as defensive options are Ryan Burns and Jacob Crook whilst Ben Wosser and Tom Creer come in to bolster the attacking output.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Bury

Adam Killey (GK), Adam Adebiyi, Sam Baines, Ryan Burns, Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Danny Gerrard, Harley Jackson, Alex Maitland, Ronan McDonnell, Dean Pinnington, Callum Sherry, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley, Ben Wosser