Back to the Bowl

After a two week break, thanks to the weather, FC Isle of Man return to action this weekend as table toppers Vauxhall Motors head to the Bowl.

After back to back defeats to kick off 2023, the Ravens need to find their form, especially with second bottom Burscough closing the gap between them to just five points.

The big news for this week is a new signing for FC Isle of Man, with Corinthians’ Eoghain Sherrard who moved back to the island after playing Step 5-6 while away at university.

Ravens’ 12th man Andy Birchall said: ‘Leaving the island for Hartpury College in Gloucester for his A-levels, he won the England colleges national final. Then attended university at Northumbria, where he represented the first team in the BUCs premier division. Aso having played for two northern league clubs in Rhyton and Crawcrook and a brief spell at Whitley Bay. Most recently playing for Newcastle Independent in the northern alliance while finishing his degree.’

Also returning to the side is Ryan Burns, who was a big part of the Ravens’ side that drove the promotion push and cup run last season.

Elsewhere, James Rice will be between the sticks, Phil Kelly and Alex Maitland come back into the squad in defence, Tiernan Garvey and Charlie Higgins come into the midfield and Tom Creer, Furo Davies and club captain Frank Jones, continuing his comeback from injury, will be the options up front.

As for Vauxhall, they travel to the island with a two point lead at the top and a game in hand over Wythenshaw Town in second. However, they have lost two of their last six, including to Avro, who the Ravens beat at the back end of 2022.

Expect their main goal threat to come from Michael Buckley, who has 19 from 27 appearances so far this season.

When the sides met back in August, Vauxhall won 2-1.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 6pm, gates open 5pm, you can grab tickets here.