In the only Wessex League game to be played on the Island this weekend, 3rd-placed Newport face 4th-placed Downton at Smallbrook in Wessex Division 1 today (Saturday).
The Port are currently on a run of 4 successive victories and have not lost a game since 19th November of last year. Wiltshire club Downton are unbeaten in 3 and won 0-3 at Romsey Town midweek.
The Island side are currently 2 points behind leaders Andover New Street, and a win could see them go top of the league come 17:00.
Wessex Division 1 (top) below:
At the other end of Division 1, 3rd-from-bottom East Cowes Vics travel to North Hampshire to play the side 2 places above them in the table: Ash United.
Vics are on a disastrous run of 21 games without a win – their last win coming in August of last year. Ash, however, have not won in January.
Last Saturday, the East Cowes side put in an excellent performance in their 2-2 draw at home with Hamworthy Rec. Will Alex Smith’s luck change in his 4th game in charge?
Smith says:
“We’re still awaiting the return of captain Liam Newbold, who has just one game of his suspension left to serve, but aside from that we have everybody available. We also welcome Aidan Radford to the squad tomorrow, who will be with us for the duration of the season.
“We’re excited about the prospect of testing ourselves again and anything less than the win will be extremely disappointing.”
Wessex Division 1 (bottom) below:
In the Wessex Premier, relegation-threatened Cowes Sports play another side close to the drop zone: Bournemouth.
The Yachtsmen have failed to win in 12 attempts. However, the Poppies have had even worse form over recent weeks, having failed to record a victory in their last 16 games.
Assistant manager Andy Brown says:
“It’s a massive game and a 6-pointer. We’re pleased with the lads’ performance on Tuesday vs Portchester. However, this is a big game and one we must aim to get something from.”
Wessex Premier (bottom) below:
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 28th January
Premier Division
Bournemouth v Cowes Sports
Division One
Ash United v East Cowes Victoria
Newport (IoW) v Downton
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 28th January 2023
Hampshire FA Saturday Vase – 4th Round
Northwood St Johns Reserves v AFC Station
Harwoods Dacia Isle of Wight Gold Cup – 2nd Round
Brading Town v Vectis
Sandown & Lake v Binstead & COB
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Oakfield
The Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist Memorial Cup 2nd Round
Carisbrooke United v Niton Community
East Cowes Vics Reserves v Ventnor
Yarmouth & Calbourne v High Park
Harwoods Renault Division 1
Cowes Sports Reserves v Bembridge
Pan Community v ECS
Shanklin v Northwood St Johns
West Wight v Ryde Saints
Harwoods Renault Division 2
Newchurch v Seaview
Osborne Coburg v AFC Wootton
Harwoods Renault Combination 1
Bembridge v Sandown & Lake
Binstead & COB v Whitecroft & Barton Sports –
Oakfield v Brading Town
Vectis v West Wight
No Fixture: ECS & Shanklin
Harwoods Renault Combination 2
AFC Wootton v Pan Community
Niton Community v Bembridge ‘A’
Ryde Saints v Osborne Coburg
Ventnor v Newchurch
