Dixon keen to see FC Isle of Man response against Atherton LR

One point separates sides ahead of meeting at The Bowl

After a first home defeat of the season last time out, FC Isle of Man have the task of trying to pick themselves up and find a response in the NWCFL Premier Division this weekend.

In the second of three consecutive home matches, 'The Ravens' are back at The Bowl tomorrow night (17 October) to welcome Atherton Laburnum Rovers.

Along with a positive start to the current campaign, this week's visitors reached the play-offs last season and, on the way there, put five past the Manx side in this fixture.

Speaking to Manx Radio, FC Isle of Man Manager, Lee Dixon was asked what he and his players have been doing to put the frustration of last weekend behind them and focus on the next task at hand:

Just one point separates FC Isle of Man and Atherton LR going into the weekend with the sides sitting in tenth and ninth respectively and both within five points of the play-off positions.

In the 2025/26 season, it was Atherton LR who claimed the bragging rights in both meetings with the Islanders with a 3-1 home win at Crilly Park in January this year followed by an emphatic 5-1 success at The Bowl less than two months later.

The last week has seen significant changes at Atherton LR  - last Sunday (11 October) the club announced that first team manager, Dave Jones had left his role to take up the managerial post at Northern Premier League outfit, Staleybridge Celtic.

Yesterday (15 October), Atherton LR revealed that Leighton Mills would replace Jones at the club with their trip to FC Isle of Man set to be Mills' first game in charge.

FC Isle of Man vs Atherton LR will take place at The Bowl in Douglas this Saturday (17 October), 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 

Lee Dixon makes just two changes from the side which was beaten on home turf by South Liverpool last Saturday.

James Lowther is being rested and Ste Whitley is unavailable.

Beren Colley will make a return to the squad after several weeks away and with Danny Gerrard also being brought back into the mix 

FC Isle of Man squad vs Atherton LR

Thomas Crosbie (GK), Adam Adebiyi, Tomas Brown, Jason Chalmer, Karl Clark, Beren Colley, Jacob Crook, Danny Gerrard, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Alex Maitland, Freddie O'Donoghue, Dean Pinnington, Joe Quayle, Callum Sherry, Kyle Watson

You can listen to the full, extended pre-match interview with FC Isle of Man Manager, Lee Dixon on demand right now on the Manx Radio SportsCast below: