FC Isle of Man braced for big test against Chester

Tonight's match marks start of three-day tournament at The Bowl

Tonight marks the start of a three-day pre-season tournament hosted by FC Isle of Man which will see they and three English non-league clubs pitted against each other.

The Summer Festival of Football takes place at The Bowl from tonight until Sunday with The Ravens welcoming National League North sides Chester and Radcliffe as well as Northern Premier League outfit Lancaster City.

The first of four games sees FC Isle of Man take on Chester tonight at 7pm.

The Island side's manager, Paul Jones says he and his players are expecting a huge test:

This weekend will also be the last match experience for the Manx outfit before their new NWCFL Premier Division season gets underway next Saturday (27 July) with a home tie against Chadderton.

As part of their preparations FC Isle of Man have already faced two pre-season matches so far - the first a 3-1 win over National League North side Brackley Town at The Bowl on 5 July.

The second also ended with 'The Ravens' taking victory as they produced a second-half comeback to beat NWCFL Division One North side Ashton Town 3-2 at the Ballacloan Stadium in Ramsey last Saturday (13 July).

It'll be two games in three days for the Island hosts who - after tonight's tie - will then face Radcliffe FC in the final game of the tournament at 3pm on Sunday (21 July).

All matches in the festival will take place at The Bowl in Douglas, the scheduled is listed below:

Friday, 19 July, 2024

7pm - FC Isle of Man vs Chester FC

Saturday, 20 July, 2024

2pm - Radcliffe FC vs Lancaster City

Sunday, 21 July, 2024

11am - Chester FC vs Lancaster City

3pm - FC Isle of Man vs Radcliffe FC

FC Isle of Man Squad News

Given the busy schedule of two games in three days for the hosts, Paul Jones has named a 25-strong squad for this weekend's tournament.

It will include a number of names who weren't present for 'The Ravens'' last outing in Ramsey six days ago such as Alex Maitland, Callum Sherry, Kyle Watson, Jack McVey, Dan Hattersley and Morgan Naylor as players vie for a place in the squad to open FC Isle of Man's new league campaign next weekend

FC Isle of Man Squad (Summer Festival of Football, 19-21 July)

Adam Adebiyi, Sam Baines, Luke Booth, Ryan Burns, Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Ryan Gartland, Danny Gerrard, Dan Hattersley, Ethan Hawley, Charlie Higgins, Adam Killey (GK), Matt Lamb, Alex Maitland, Ronan McDonnell, Jack McVey, Luke Murray, Morgan Naylor, Dean Pinnington, Callum Sherry, Kyle Watson, Ste Whitley, Ben Wilkinson (GK)