FC Isle of Man targeting positive end to 2023 against Burscough

Ravens out to halt run of four straight home defeats

FC Isle of Man will be hoping to end 2023 on a positive note this weekend after a torrid run of results stretching back to late November.

The Ravens have lost their last four in a row - all at home - and failed to score in three of those with the latest setback last Friday with a 2-0 loss to Colne.

The Manx side welcome Burscough to The Bowl tomorrow evening (30 December) and Ravens' manager Paul Jones admits recent performances - particularly in their last match - have been below par.

However, he says his players have been working hard this week after a brief pause over Christmas:

The Island side's run of one win in their last six sees them sit 20th out of the 24 NWCFL Premier Division sides in the form table as they've dropped to 15th in the standings and 13 points off the promotion play-off spots.

However, a turnaround in fortunes at the weekend could see them climb back up another four places with a win depending on results around them.

They may also take encouragement from the fact they've beaten their upcoming opponents already this season as a Jack McVey penalty, a Sean Doyle strike and a Burscough own goal helped them to a 3-2 win at The Community Ground on 7 October.

Meanwhile, Burscough make the journey to Manx shores having lost three of their last four with the other result a respectable 2-2 draw at home against title contenders Bury.

The Lancashire club will be looking to this match for valuable points as they sit 22nd in the table and just six points clear of Skelmersdale United at the bottom.

Despite another tough season so far, The Bowl was a happy hunting ground for Burscough last season as a stunning late comeback saw them beat FC Isle of Man 4-3 in their first match of 2023.

FC Isle of Man vs Burscough takes place at The Bowl this Saturday, 30 November, 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

Paul Jones is forced into a number of changes from his side that lost out to Colne seven days ago.

Defender Callum Sherry and striker Furo Davies are both out after sustaining injuries during the team's last outing whilst midfielders Michael Williams and Ste Whitley are unavailable.

Meanwhile, there's a return to the squad for Jack McVey with Jamie Corlett and Tom Creer also recalled.

Goalkeeper Ben Wilkinson is fit to be involved after being withdrawn during the warm-up ahead of their last match as a precaution.

FC Isle of Man squad vs Burscough

Ben Wilkinson (GK), Jamie Corlett, Tom Creer, Jacob Crook, Sean Doyle, Tiernan Garvey, Danny Gerrard, Blake Henwood, Charlie Higgins, Jack Higgins, Frank Jones, Phil Kelly, Alex Maitland, Jack McVey, Dean Pinnington, Kyle Watson