The Isle of Man host the West Riding County League in the quarter-finals of the FA Inter-League Cup at the Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
Victory would bring Steve Burns’s men one step closer to reclaiming the silverware the island league side won in 2006 and another chance at representing England in the Uefa Regions Cup.
Burns’s charges secured their place in the last-eight of the English FA’s knockout competition by securing a 3-2 extra-time triumph away at the Yorkshire Amateur League in December.
Prior to that the Cumberland County League were put to the sword 5-0 in September in the first round proper.
The West Riding County League side, who has three division and 40 sides to choose from, have twice travelled to Suffolk, defeating the Suffolk and Ipswich League 3-2 in the preliminary round before dispatching the Essex and Suffolk Border League 2-1 in the first round proper.
A strong Manchester League were sent packing 3-0 by the Yorkshire outfit at the next stage teeing up this weekend’s first showdown between the two teams.
Burns and his coaching staff have the luxury of a near fully fit squad to choose from.
Talisman Calum Morrissey is returning to full fitness and Burns will have to decide whether to include the St George’s striker in his 16-man match day squad at the expesense of one of those that have deputised admirably in the Shire’s absence.
Morrissey’s St George’s team-mate Grant Dawson is the Men’s only doubt with a shoulder injury.
If the Geordies keeper doesn’t pass a late fitness test his place in the squad is likely to be taken by Peel stopper Joe Kelly with St Mary’s Max Thomas starting.
The rest of the side should be made up of the usual familiar faces led by skipper Sean Quaye.
With the squad now beginning to get to grips with Burns’s much-discussed tactics, and cheered on by a partisan home crowd, the Manx should be favourties to advance to the semi-finals.
The other three quarter-finals (Dorset Premier League v Jersey Combination; Lincolnshire League v Humber Premier League; Surrey Elite Intermediate League v Worthing and District League) all take place this weekend so if they win the island should know their last four opponents next week.
Kick-off is 2pm, but people are advised to get down to the Bowl in ample time.
Tickets cost £4 for adults and £1 for children under-16 and concessions.
ISLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Max Thomas (St Mary’s), Joe Kelly (Peel); Defenders: Julian Ringham (St George’s), Karl Clark (St Mary’s), Johnny Myers (St George’s), Sean Quaye (St George’s), Stephen Riding (Rushen), Liam Cowin (St George’s); Midfielders: Marc Kelly (Peel, Daniel Bell (Peel), Frank Jones (St George’s); Attackers: Sam Caine (St George’s), Chris Bass Jr (St George’s), Ciaran McNulty (St George’s), Conor Doyle (St George’s) and Lee Gale (Peel).
As a warm up to the Inter-League Cup game, Ronaldsway and Gymns will play their rearranged GH Corlett Woods Cup tie at the Factory Fields on Saturday lunchtime.
Division Two pacesetters Gymns should be favourites to advance from the tie that kicks off at midday, having beaten the Rockets 8-1 in the pair’s sole league meeting thus far this season.
Ronaldsway have impressed against Douglas Royal and Ayre in recent weeks, but Jonathan Broad’s men should advance to the second-tier cup competition’s first round.
Elsewhere there is one game taking place in JCK Division Two as Braddan host Onchan at Victoria Road.