Top-of-the-table Newport face 2nd-placed Andover New Street at Smallbrook in their most crucial game of the season to date on Saturday (25th February).
Only 1 team secure automatic promotion to the Wessex Premier. The Port are currently 2 points ahead of Street, but their North Hampshire rivals have 2 games in hand.
Andover NS have won their previous 2 games since losing their unbeaten record to Petersfield on 14th February; Newport are unbeaten in 5 games since losing to New Milton Town on 2nd February.
Last season, Newport did the double over Street, winning 2-1 at Smallbrook and 1-3 at Foxcotte Park.
A win for Port would see the County Town club go 5 points clear of their closest rivals; defeat would would result in the Andover side topping the table.
Also in Wessex Division 1, 15th-placed East Cowes Vics face 5th-placed Downton at Beatrice Avenue.
On Wednesday, Fawley ended the East Cowes side’s 7-game unbeaten run that has seen them rise above the 3 relegation spots at the bottom of the table.
Vics manager Alex Smith says of his side’s 3-0 defeat:
“Fawley were a good side who asked some difficult tactical questions of us. We were perhaps expecting a somewhat scrappier game than what we were presented with and on this occasion, unfortunately drifted from the game plan that we have previously executed so well.”
When asked how his side would react to their 1st loss since being beaten by bottom club Fleet Spurs on 7th January, Alex said:
“We’ll react with positivity and togetherness. Wednesday was a terrible result but a positive learning experience for us as a group, and we look forward to the opportunity to test ourselves at home on Saturday.
“We’re under no illusions that we’re still very much in a relegation battle, that can can look so different after each week’s results. We have to attack each and every game, whoever it’s against, with belief and a commitment to execute our game plan – and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
With Vics only 3 points above Ash United in the 3rd relegation spot, defeat could see the home side fall into the relegation places once again.
In the Wessex Premier, 15th-placed Cowes Sports travel to Salisbury to face 12th-placed Laverstock & Ford.
The Yachtsmen have been in inconsistent form in February, winning 3 and losing 3 of their past 6 games. On Tuesday, the Cowes side secured a healthy 4-1 victory against Blackfield & Langley.
Assistant manager Andy Brown says:
“Laverstock & Ford won’t be an easy game. They are a good side and only just lost 2-1 to Portchester on Tuesday. They will also be looking for revenge, for our win against them earlier in season.
“The lads are in good spirits following another win on Tuesday, with confidence growing and looking to take that form into Saturday’s game.
“Our aim must be to continue building upon what we have already been working hard on, to be more consistent, maintain forward momentum, gaining points and pushing away from all those around us.”
Wessex League tables below: Premier (l), Division 1 (r):
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday Saturday 25th February
Premier Division
Laverstock & Ford v Cowes Sports
Division One
East Cowes Victoria v Downton
Newport (IoW) v Andover New Street
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 25th February
All Fixtures to Kick-Off at 2.00pm unless otherwise shown
The Harwoods Dacia Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup
2nd Round
Northwood St Johns v West Wight
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Binstead & COB v Bembridge
Brading Town v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Cowes Sports Reserves v Oakfield
Pan Community v Vectis
Sandown & Lake v Ryde Saints
Shanklin v ECS
Division 2
Carisbrooke United v AFC Wootton
High Park v Osborne Coburg
Niton Community v Newchurch
Ventnor v East Cowes Vics Reserves
No Fixture: Seaview; Yarmouth & Calbourne
Combination Division 1
ECS v Northwood St Johns
Vectis v Brading Town
West Wight v Binstead & COB
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Shanklin
No Fixture: Bembridge; Sandown & Lake
Combination Division 2
Bembridge ‘A’ v Pan Community
Osborne Coburg v Ventnor
No Fixture: AFC Wootton; Newchurch; Niton Community; Ryde Saints
Fixtures courtesy of IOW DFA
