FC Isle of Man seek response against Atherton LR at The Bowl

Lee Dixon's side host a club one place above them on Saturday evening, with new Atherton LR manager Leighton Mills taking charge for the first time.

Douglas · DoolishFri 16 Oct, 18:121 min read

By Manx Wire Newsroom

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FC Isle of Man manager Lee Dixon wants a reaction from his side when they host Atherton Laburnum Rovers in the NWCFL Premier Division at The Bowl in Douglas on Saturday (17 October), kick-off 18:00.

The Ravens are coming off their first home defeat of the season, a loss to South Liverpool last weekend, according to Manx Radio Sport.

The two clubs are level-pegging in all but a single point, according to Manx Radio Sport. Atherton LR sit ninth and FC Isle of Man tenth, with both no more than five points short of the play-off places. The visitors reached the play-offs last season and won both meetings with the Manx side: 3-1 at Crilly Park in January and 5-1 at The Bowl a few weeks after that.

Atherton LR arrive under new management. The club said on 11 October that Dave Jones had left to take over at Northern Premier League side Stalybridge Celtic, and on 15 October named Leighton Mills as his replacement. Saturday will be Mills’ first game in charge.

Dixon has made two changes from the side beaten by South Liverpool, Manx Radio Sport reported. Ste Whitley is not available and James Lowther has been given a rest. Beren Colley is back in the squad following a spell of several weeks out, and Danny Gerrard is also recalled.

The match is the second of three successive home fixtures for FC Isle of Man. Manx Radio will carry live commentary on DAB and AM 1368.

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