Isle of Wight champions and Island Echo Challenge Cup holders Shanklin play Cowes Sports Reserves in the quarter final of the Challenge Cup at the County Ground at 14:00 this afternoon.
Victory will see either Shanklin – who are currently unbeaten in Island League football and lead the Division 1 table – or 3rd-placed Cowes face West Wight at home in the semi-finals of the competition.
The 2nd Challenge Cup quarter final to be played on Saturday, Northwood St Johns versus Whitecroft & Barton Sports has been abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
In Wessex Division 1, leaders Newport travel to Dorset to face 5th-placed Hamworthy Recreation.
Hamworthy are a difficult side to break down as they proved in the corresponding fixture at Smallbrook, where they came away with a point after a goalless draw.
On Tuesday, the County Town club maintained their 2-point lead at the top of the Division 1 table with a 3-0 victory over mid-table Totton & Eling. The scorers for Newport were Rafferty Boyd-Kerr, Ji Nash and Connor Kelly.
Also in Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics will be hoping to put their Gold Cup midweek exit at the hands of West Wight behind them when they entertain 7th-placed Fleetlands at Beatrice Avenue.
Vics have been bolstered by yet another signing: Josh Neale from Cowes Sports.
Manager Alex Smith says:
“Josh is an energetic attacking midfield player with lots of ability, and I’m delighted he’s made the decision to sign for East Cowes Vics.”
Vics are still not free from the threat of relegation and currently lie just 3 places and 4 points above Amesbury Town in the 3rd relegation spot.
Wessex Division 1 table below:
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports make the long trip to Dorset to face the side immediately below in the table: Portland United.
The Yachtsmen are still not free from relegation danger, being 5 points and 4 places above Pagham in the 2nd relegation spot.
On Tuesday, Cowes Sports advanced to the semi-finals of the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup by beating Binstead 2-0 at Westwood Park.
The Yachtsmen will now play West Wight in the semi-finals of the competition.
Wessex Premier table below:
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 11th March
Premier Division
Portland United v Cowes Sports
Division 1
East Cowes Victoria v Fleetlands
Hamworthy Recreation v Newport (IoW)
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 11th March
All Fixtures to kick-off at 14:00
The Island Echo Isle of Wight Challenge 2nd Round
Northwood SJ v Whitecroft & Barton Sports OFF
Shanklin v Cowes Sports Reserves
The Ken Morris Isle of Wight Junior A Cup Sponsored by the Harwoods Renault Saturday League 3rd Round
ECS Reserves v Niton Community
Ventnor v West Wight Reserve
Whitecroft & Barton Reserves v High Park
The U.N.I.S.O.N. Isle of Wight Junior B Cup Quarter-Finals
AFC Wootton Reserves v Ventnor Reserves
Bembridge ’A’ v Newchurch Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves v Pan Community Reserves
Ryde Saints Reserves v Niton Community Reserves
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Oakfield v Brading Town
Pan Community v Bembridge
Ryde Saints v Binstead & COB
Sandown & Lake v ECS
Vectis v West Wight
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2
Newchurch v AFC Wootton
Yarmouth & Calbourne v Osborne Coburg
No Fixture: Carisbrooke United; East Cowes Vics Reserves; Seaview;
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1
Brading Town v Northwood St Johns
Vectis v Shanklin OFF
