The Manx national football side recorded two impressive friendly victories on Merseyside this weekend.

Manager Kevin Manning was using the games to prepare for Saturday's Inter-League Cup clash with the Lancashire Amateur League.

The Manx side first beat Knowsley South 3-1 on Saturday before posting a 4-1 victory against Allerton on Sunday.

"The results were very positive and the manner in which we recorded them was very pleasing," said Manning.

The Isle of Man started their weekend with victory over Knowsley South with Nick Hurt (2) and Dan Bell scoring the Manx goals. The island then went one better to beat Allerton with Hurt again on target.

Chris Bass Jr (2) and Frank Jones also found the target.

Manning continued: "We played some great football in both games and I've learnt a lot about my players.

"We've been working hard over the past 12 weeks and it is paying off. The lads got the ball down and played some really good stuff."

Manning took a 20-man squad to Merseyside but has been forced to cut it to 16 for the game against the Lancashire Amateur League.

The four players leaving the squad will be Castletown defender Karl Clark, St Georges duo Jamie Skillen and James McStay and Rushen striker Josh Kelly.

"It was a very difficult decision but it had to be made," Manning said.

After Saturday's game he and his team will turn their attention to the summer's Natwest Island Games, which is being hosted by the Isle of Wight.

Goalkeepers: Grant Dawson (St Georges), Max Thomas (St Marys)

Defenders: Julian Ringham (St Georges), (C) Sean Quaye (St Georges), Dan Lace (Peel), Michael Baker (Rushen) Neil Brogan (St Georges)

Midfielders: Neil Brogan (St Georges), Frank Jones (St Georges), Chris Bass Jr (St Georges), Marc Kelly (Peel), Dan Bell (Peel), Johnny Myers (Peel), Nick Hurt (St Johns)

Forwards: Ciaran McNulty (St Georges), Calum Morrissey (St Georges), Lee Gale (Peel)

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