All games featuring Isle of Wight Wessex League clubs have been postponed this afternoon (Saturday).
The Yachtsmen face AFC Portchester at the Zilch Waste Stadium (Westwood Park) this afternoon (Saturday), weather permitting.
This game is OFF.
The league leaders are likely to travel with former Portsmouth striker Brett Pitman, who has returned to the club after a short spell with near neighbours Baffins Milton Rovers.
‘Portchy’ sit 7 points clear at the top of the Wessex Premier table, and beat the Yachtsmen 7-1 in the corresponding fixture back in August.
However, the Yachtsmen have proved tricky opponents for Portchester in previous seasons, knocking them out of the FA Vase in 2023 and winning 2-1 at home in 2021.
Cowes will be bolstered by the recent signing of former Newport captain and proven goal scorer Jordan Browne.
Co-manager Ian Potts says of his side’s chances:
“We are looking forward to the game against Portchester. They are a massive club, who have a strong squad with plenty of higher level experience. They are doing well in all competitions and are up currently top of league and going for promotion.
“We have come along way in a short amount of time, but as usual the lads have trained really well and performances have been good recently and with our togetherness as a squad, we are up for the challenge.
“We as a club are also very happy with the recent signing of Jordan Browne, a proven Wessex League player and goal scorer, a top lad and massive acquisition for us.”
On the other side of the Medina, promotion-chasing East Cowes Victoria take on 2nd-from-bottom Ash United in Wessex Division 1.
This game is OFF.
Ash are without a win in 10 games; Vics have taken the spoils in their last 2 games. Furthermore, the Victorians have the highest points-per-game average in their division, together with the best defensive record.
The Victorians will have several key players unavailable, with Josh and Caleb Neale, Rafferty Boyd-Kerr and Adam Voller all absent.
Manager Alex Smith says:
“We’re excited to be back in league action at Beatrice Avenue after a month. We had some great experiences in the Vase and are delighted to be in the quarter finals of the league cup, but our eyes are now firmly back on the league.
“We go into the game without Josh, Raff, Caleb and Voller but will still turn out a very strong 16 – a testament to the depth and commitment of the squad.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, Vics’ rivals for a promotion place Newport travel to league leaders New Milton Town.
This game is OFF.
Port are currently on an impressive 10-game unbeaten run with the 2nd best defensive record in their division (after East Cowes Vics)
Can 6th-placed Newport return across the Solent with 3 points and finally reach the playoff positions?
Co-manager Joe Butcher says:
“It’s obviously a very hard game. They are unbeaten in 11 and top of the league but we are unbeaten in 10 games now.
“I think our recent form and amount of chances were creating/scoring should give us confidence, and we’ve also got one of the best defensive records in the league.
“We will head there and try our best for a positive result.”
However, with Storm Bert hitting the south of England, this fixture is thought unlikely to take place. Please check for updates on any potential postponements before travelling.
Games highlighted in red have been called off.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 23rd November
Wessex Premier
AFC Portchester v Cowes Sports OFF
Division 1
East Cowes Victoria v Ash United OFF
New Milton Town v Newport IW OFF
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 23rd November
Harwoods Division 1
Brading Town v Osborne Coburg
Northwood SJ v Ventnor
Vectis v Shanklin
Division 2
East Cowes Sports v Niton Community
High Park v Sandown & Lake OFF
Newchurch v Seaview
Pan Community v Newport Reserves OFF
Ryde Saints v Oakfield OFF
Combination 1
Binstead & COB Reserves v Osborne Coburg Reserves
High Park Reserves v Bembridge Reserves OFF
Sandown & Lake Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
West Wight Reserves v Brading Town Reserves OFF
W&B Sports Reserves v East Cowes Sports Reserves OFF
Combination 2
Bembridge A v Osborne Coburg A
Niton Community Reserves v Ventnor A
Oakfield Reserves v Ryde Saints Reserves
Sandown & Lake A v High Park A OFF
West Wight A v Newchurch Reserves OFF
