The Isle of Man FA’s under-18 side welcome holders Middlesex to the Bowl in the third round of the FA County Youth Cup on Saturday evening.
This is the first time the island teenagers have reached the last-16 of the competition since the 2008-09 season when the side were knocked out at the semi-final stage.
Victories over Cumberland and Lancashire in the tournament’s previous two rounds have buoyed confidence in the camp as coach Lewis Qualtrough explains: ’Our lads are well up for it.
’We are expecting a really tough game not only because they are current holders but because of their strong history in the competition.
’The boys have been training hard since their win against Lancashire and are keen again to impress.
’It would be fantastic to get through this round and into a quarter final. The more support the team can get behind them the better.’
Kick-off at the Bowl is at the later time of 6.30pm.
Isle of Man FA under-18 squad: James Rice (Onchan); Nathan Teare (Michael United); Lewis Bridson (St George’s); Joel Ibanez (St George’s); Dom Parish (Ramsey); Dylan Pickles (Ramsey); Andrew Burkitt (Laxey); Matthew Wilkinson (Laxey); Carlo Craig (Ramsey); Jacob Crook (Douglas Royal); Tom Chatel (St George’s); Luca Simmons (Douglas Royal); Jack Camarda (Douglas Royal); Jay Skelcher-Maxwell (St George’s); Sidney Batty (St George’s); Jonny Quirk (St George’s).