Wessex Premier side Cowes Sports face a potential ‘banana skin’ fixture against Island League West Wight in their Isle of Wight Gold Cup semi-final at Beatrice Avenue this evening (Wednesday).
The game was due to have been played earlier in the month but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The winners of the tie will face Gold Cup holders Newport in the final of the competition.
West Wight have already dumped Wessex League East Cowes Vics out of the cup at Camp Road in the quarter-final stage. Can the Island League side claim a 2nd Wessex League side scalp to reach the final?
West Wight Captain Ash Brett says:
“It’ll be a very difficult game against a good side, but I think we have plenty in our arsenal to give them problems, just like we did against Vics.”
The semi-final is likely to feature many former Yachtsmen in the West Wight lineup.
Ash says:
“There are 5 of us that played multiple seasons at Cowes. Gareth (Bricknell), myself, Tom and Harry Dye as well as Mike Herbert.”
On behalf of Cowes Sports, assistant manager Andy Brown has said:
“On paper, we will be expected to win. However, West Wight have a good experienced side and also a number of former Cowes players, who will no doubt raise their game and be out to make a point, plus cause an upset.
“West Wight have also proved their quality, having beaten East Cowes Vics in the previous round. We respect them, however, and won’t be taking this game lightly.
“We have enough quality in depth to perform and make the final, which is our intention.”
Kick-off at Beatrice Avenue is at 19:30.
There are also some crucial Isle of Wight Division 1 fixtures to be played tonight.
Top-of-the-table Shanklin take on Brading Town at the County Ground. 2nd-placed W&B – who are 3 points behind the league leaders with 3 games of the season remaining – face East Cowes Sports at Sandy Lane. 2nd-from-bottom Sandown will hope boost their chances of escaping relegation by beating Binstead at the Fairway Sports complex.
Isle of Wight fixtures for Wednesday 26th April 2023
Fixtures to kick off at 18:00 unless otherwise stated
The Harwoods Dacia Senior (Gold) Cup – Semi Final
Cowes Sports v West Wight (19:30)
Harwoods Renault Division 1:
Sandown & Lake v Binstead & COB
Shanklin v Brading Town
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v ECS
Combination 1:
Northwood St Johns v Bembridge
