THERE’S a heady mix of both FA Cup and Premier League football this Saturday with eagerly anticipated games in both.
In the former Cu-Plas-sponsored competition there’s two rearranged preliminary round ties to be played after wet weather scuppered the first attempts to run them.
The pick of these is probably at Glen Road where Laxey will meet Rushen in a repeat of last season’s final.
On that occasion the Spaniards won 3-0 to clinch their ninth FA Cup crown, their first in 21 years.
Mark Heywood’s men have took that form into this season and currently sit second in the top-flight standings and will be eager to defend their cup title.
However, that will be easier said than done against a Miners side that sits level on points with the Croit Lowey outfit, despite playing three games less.
Steve Falconer’s men also triumphed 4-2 in the one league meeting between the two so far this campaign and that might just give them the edge in what should be an entertaining tie in the east.
The other FA Cup game between Division Two Pulrose and top-flight Gymns should also be an interesting one. Pully, who have pulled off many a giant-killing over the years, will be hopeful of extending their cup run against a Gymns side still smarting from last weekend’s 5-0 reverse at the hands of fellow relegation candidates RYCOB. Kieron Iveagh’s Tromode outfit will need to pick themselves up quickly if they want to avoid becoming Pully’s latest victims.
l ST George’s could reaffirm their position at the top of the Canada Life Premier League if results go their way.
Geordies travel to bottom side Ayre but will be firm favourites to return with all three points.
If they do that and DHSOB and St Mary’s draw in their rearranged match at Blackberry Lane, Chris Bass Sr’s champions elect will have a four-point buffer with a couple of games in hand on most of their title rivals.
Old Boys, however, will be keen to avenge Railway Cup semi-final defeat by St Mary’s and if they triumph they could tighten things up at the top of the standings.
In the north of the island it’s derby day as Ramsey welcome RYCOB. Youthie scored an important victory last week over Gymns and could run their hosts close in this one.
In the day’s remaining top-flight game, two of Manx football’s oldest dynasties clash at the Stadium as Peel travel to Castletown. Expect Rob Cottier’s westerners to emerge with the points.