Nearly four weeks in, three matches down, one win, five points on the board and our mammoth tour of the heartlands of the North West Counties Football League continues with yet another road trip this coming weekend.
Following last week’s journey to the southern tip of the leafy countryside of Cheshire, we venture to the northern boundaries of the same county this Saturday as the Ravens look to continue their unbeaten start to the season to take on the Cheadle Heath Nomads at the Proseal Stadium.
Our Opponents this Week
Cheadle Heath Nomads are one of the oldest teams in the region, being formed in the immediate aftermath of the First World War. Having competed in various Cheshire Leagues down the years, they were champions of the Mid-Cheshire Premier Division title in 2014-15. They are relatively recent members of the NWCFL and finished a respectable ninth in the last full season of 2018-19 before Covid hit.
The Nomads experienced a slow start to this season, suffering three defeats on the bounce, before fighting back to get four points out of the last six following a draw, and a win, against West Didsbury & Chorlton and Stockport Town respectively. Monday night’s victory over the latter being particularly impressive, coming as they did, from 2-0 down to win.
FC Isle of Man Team News
For the first time this season, Manager Chris Bass, looks as if he will have a settled squad to pick from following last week’s historic maiden win for the club at Alsager Town. There are no new major injuries or illnesses to report. In fact, Bass may have some selection headaches as Dan Simpson, Ryan Burns and Michael Williams all returned to training this week after being unavailable for last week’s encounter.
However, the team looks as if it will largely remain the same and we can look forward to seeing the burgeoning front partnership of Luke Murray and Lee Gale in action once again. The now veteran Gale (well, he turned 30 two weeks ago) and the 21-year-old whippersnapper, Murray, are starting to forge somewhat of a dangerous strike force.
Luke has two goals in his last two games while Gale, after hitting the bar in the season opener and missing an open goal (sorry Lee) against Wythenshawe, finally got on the score sheet last week at Alsager.
More of the same please lads.
