After a long wait, the Isle of Man FA’s under-18 side finally return to FA County Youth Cup action when they travel to face Essex on Sunday morning.

Lewis Qualtrough’s side beat Cheshire back at the start of November to book their passage into the competition’s second round.

However, the islanders were then given a bye after opponents Manchester, who won the cup last season, withdrew for the competition.

This meant a lengthier break than expected ahead of this weekend’s quarter-final tie at Isthmian League North Division outfit Aveley.

The club’s 3,500 capacity Parkside ground has an artificial surface and was only opened in 2017. It will provide a fitting venue for the first meeting between these two sides in this competition.

Ahead of Sunday morning’s 11am kick-off, Qualtrough added: ’The boys should be confident. The Youth Cup is a tough competition as we know, but we played well against Cheshire. There is all to play for.’

Essex beat neighbours Kent 4-1 in the first round and will provide strong opposition for the Manx youngsters.

The islanders’ 17-strong squad is for once largely made up of players from one club.

Premier League outfit Douglas Royal provide eight of the travelling party. That includes former Marown goalkeeper Harry Horbury and recent signing Sam Baines who only made the move across the Ballafletcher divide from Corinthians last month.

There are several new faces in the squad with Douglas Athletic goalkeeper Mason Prince, St George’s Ben Wosser and Douglas Royal’s Kyle Watson being called up since the extra-time victory over Cheshire.

Royal’s Callum Sherry plus club-mate Taylor Andrews Peel’s Jack Camarda, Rushen’s Adam Cooil and skipper Jacob Crook provide the selection with some much-needed experience having been part of the IoMFA squad that reached the same stage last year.

Indeed the Manx have exited the competition at the last eight at the hands of Norfolk in successive seasons and will be determined to go one better this time.

Isle of Man FA U18 squad:

Harry Horbury (Douglas Royal); Mason Prince (Douglas Athletic); Adam Cooil (Rushen); James Callow (Douglas Royal); Charlie Gibson (St George’s); Callum Sherry (Douglas Royal); Sam Baines (Douglas Royal); Jack Camarda (Peel); Lucas James (St George’s); Will Bergquist (Laxey); Jacob Crook (St George’s); Taylor Andrews (Douglas Royal); Kyle Watson (Douglas Royal); Joao Marques (Braddan); Harry Walters (Laxey); Ben Wosser (St George’s); Jamie Agnew (Douglas Royal).