Match Preview

Heys welcome FC Isle of Man to Adie Moran Park this afternoon looking to get their NW Counties League Premier Division promotion challenge back on track.

After suffering their first defeat of the 2024, in losing 1-0 at Padiham last weekend, the weather frustrated them on Tuesday with our match against Colne postponed. A couple of Heys promotion rivals did play. Chadderton boosted their hopes with a 4-2 away win at Squires Gate to open a four-point gap between them in fourth and Heys in fifth. League leaders Wythenshawe Town were beaten 2-1 at Padiham and whilst in one respect this was a good result for Heys it also meant that Padiham moved up to sixth, within five points of Heys albeit having played three games more.

However, there is still work to do for Heys to cement at least a play off spot in the race to step up to the Northern Premier League and today’s game will be key to those ambitions. Heys are presently fifth with 57 points from thirty game games.

Our visitors arrive in 14th place in the table with 43 points from 31 games. It’s a season that started brightly for them with four wins in their opening six games. However, that was followed by a run of seven games without a win to see the Ravens drop down the table. In many ways that has been the story of their campaign with a four-game unbeaten run then followed by a four-match sequence without a win and so forth.

However, they come into todays’ game unbeaten in their last three which have seen seven points collected and only one goal conceded, indeed the Isle of Man’s defensive record is the sixth best in the division.

A play off place would seem beyond the Ravens at present but a top half finish is not beyond them and with still having Bury (home), Kendal (away) and Chadderton (home and away) to play they will play an important part in shaping how the top end of the table looks comes April.

MATCH INFORMATION

Ground: Adie Moran Park, Sandgate Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 6WG

Telephone: 0161 773 8888 (match days only)

Licensed bar in the clubhouse serving hot and cold drinks, hot and cold food/snacks and equipped with televisions and seating for around sixty people. Gents and Ladies WC's are also located in the clubhouse. An additional serving hatch is available adjacent to the Seated Stand.

There are separate toilet facilities inside the ground. These are located in the red building block to the left of the turnstiles as you enter the ground.

We have a covered standing area for approx 150 people and covered seating for 100.

There's free on-site parking for around 150 cars on the front and down the length of the motorway side of the ground. Car park Stewards will guide you to a space. On entering the ground at present you will note there are presently Cabins on the Car Park, reducing capacity.

However, there is now additional Car Parking available down the whole length of the motorway side of the ground.

On arrival if you find the front Car Park full, please proceed across the Car Park, past the turnstiles to the end of the ground perimeter and then turn right to use this additional space.

We would ask that you do not double park or cause a blockage on the front Car Park. Also please do not park on Sandgate Road.

Please do not park on Sandgate Road or surrounding streets.

Hard standing around the entire pitch.

Pyrotechnics are banned. This includes Flares, Fireworks and Smoke Bombs. Anyone carrying pyrotechnics will be subject to a Football Banning order.

Supporters are also reminded that is an offence to enter the Playing Area and doing so can result in a Banning order.

The Club does not allow Dogs into the ground. The only exception to this rule is for Disability Support Dogs.

Please note out of consideration to our neighbours Drums and other Musical Instruments are banned from the ground. Visiting supporters are asked to also refrain from placing flags on the Clubhouse / Seated stand side of the ground.

Admission Prices: Adults £7, Concessions £4 (over 65's and students with valid student card), Under 16 's £1. Cash & Card payments accepted at the gate.

Programme Price: £2.00

Directions: M60 to junction 17 head towards Whitefield, take first right into Clyde Avenue and continue over the traffic lights onto Thatch Leach Lane, turn right at the Frigate Public House, go over the motorway bridge, the ground is on the left.

Nearest Railway: Besses O`Barn Metrolink Station, Bury Old Road. Turn right out of station and follow directions as above.

Nearest Bus Route to Ground: 135 from Manchester to Bury Route, alight at Besses o Barn and follow directions as above.