FC Isle of Man aiming to bounce back against Litherland REMYCA

Ravens aiming to avenge midweek loss on return to The Bowl

FC Isle of Man are hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend when they face Litherland REMYCA at The Bowl on Saturday evening (5 August).

After a narrow defeat to Ramsbottom United in midweek, the Ravens will be hoping for a change in fortunes against a Litherland side still hunting their first win of the new campaign.

The Merseyside team were 3-2 winners when the two sides last met on Island in December last year.

FC Isle of Man manager, Paul Jones is once again expecting a real test against their opponents:

Going into the weekend, FC Isle of Man's early start of one win and one loss puts them 12th in the NWCFL Premier Division standings at this very early stage.

It was a mixed record for the Ravens against Litherland REMYCA last season as the above mentioned home defeat was preceded earlier in the campaign by FC Isle of Man winning 2-1 at Litherland Sports Park in the first meeting.

Both teams ended the 2022/23 campaign as two of the in-form sides in the division following shaky starts, with the Island side finishing the campaign 13th in the table and Litherland - thanks to an extended run of good results in the second half of the season - finished ten points better off in tenth.

Despite a resurgent end to their previous season, Litherland REMYCA come into this weekend yet to register their first win of the 2023/24 schedule.

This will be the Liverpool-based side's third away trip on the bounce following a 3-0 defeat on the opening day (29 July) to newly-promoted Chadderton followed by a goalless draw at Padiham in midweek (1 August).

FC Isle of Man vs Litherland REMYCA takes place at The Bowl this Saturday, 5 August, 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

There is one enforced change for Paul Jones to consider this weekend - midfielder, Dean Pinnington who scored in midweek for the Ravens will serve a one-match ban this weekend having been sent off in the opening game of the season against Wythenshawe Town six days ago.

More rotation takes place in the squad again following the quick turnaround from FC Isle of Man's midweek loss at Ramsbottom United.

Sam Baines, Danny Gerrard and Jack Higgins are called up to the squad for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Joe Walters and Sam Gelling - who featured against Wythenshawe Town last weekend - return to the fold having been absent in midweek.

Dropping out of contention for this weekend's contest are the aformentioned Pinnington as well as young midfielder Tiernan Garvey

FC Isle of Man squad vs Litherland REMYCA

Sam Baines, Ryan Burns, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Sam Gelling, Danny Gerrard, Jack Higgins, Frank Jones, Adam Killey, Dean Leece, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Eoighain Sherrard, Joe Walters, Ste Whitley, Michael Williams