East Cowes Victoria travel to the Cotswolds today to face Gloucestershire club Fairford Town in the first round proper of the FA Vase.
Vics are the only Isle of Wight side still standing in the competition after Cowes were knocked out by Fareham Town and Newport by Verwood Town in the preliminary round.
Fairford Town are currently lying 3rd in the Hellenic Premier Division, a league one step above Wessex Division 1. The Gloucestershire club are on a run of 5 games unbeaten since losing 1-3 at home to Highworth Town back in September.
Vics’ form is even more impressive, having gone unbeaten in 9 since losing 1-3 to Ringwood Town on 31st August. The East Cowes side comfortably beat Fleetlands 3-0 in their most recent game on Tuesday after 2 successive goalless draws at Beatrice Avenue.
When asked about the improvement in his team’s performance, manager Alex Smith said:
“In the first half especially, we were back to ourselves a little bit more – braver on the ball and some more risk taken in possession, and we reaped the rewards of that.”
The Victorians will be facing a largely unknown quantity in Fairford.
When asked whether he knew much about Fairford, Alex replied:
“We’ve been fortunate to see some clips, but nothing we’ll read into too heavily.”
Alex says his side will try to win the cup tie over 90 minutes, rather than playing for a draw and taking their chances in a penalty shootout.
Unfortunately, Vics will be without leading scorer Josh Neale, who is suspended after his harsh sending off midweek.
On the Isle of Wight, Cowes Sports – who currently lie 4 points and 1 place above the Wessex Premier drop zone – take on 10th-placed Portland United.
After a poor start to the season, the Yachtsmen’s form has improved under the new management team of Ian Potts and Mark Woodhouse, winning 2 and drawing 1 of their last 3 games. Portland’s recent form has been poor, with the Dorset-based side having lost their 3 most recent fixtures.
A win could see Cowes go as high as 13th in the Wessex Premier table.
Co-manager Ian Potts says of his side’s chances today:
“The atmosphere is good with the players, we are playing well and slowly picking up results, and the lads are feeling confident, but they know Portland are a good team, who we respect and will not be taking it lightly. As always, the lads will be up for it.
“We hope to just carry on like we have in the last 3 games and keep trying to pick up points and move up the table.”
In Wessex Division 1, 7th-placed Newport take on 5th-placed Cove at Beatrice Avenue.
Victory for Port could see the County Town club leapfrog today’s opponents to reach the playoff places.
Port – in common with all Isle of Wight Wessex League sides – are currently in good form, having won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 games; Cove are in even better form, having gone unbeaten in 5.
Co-manager Joe Butcher says of today’s game:
“A tough game – it’s a big opportunity to put our worst performance of the season right when we lost at their place earlier in the year.
“They are another team in and around the playoffs, but we’ll be looking for another positive result, as we have with every game this season
“A win puts us level on points with them and 3 games in hand
“Reaching the playoff spots is not completely in our hands. Hamworthy Utd would have to lose or draw as well as us winning but hopefully [we can do it].”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 19th October:
FA Vase
Fairford Town v East Cowes Victoria
Wessex Premier
Cowes Sports v Portland United
Wessex Division 1
Newport IW v Cove
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 19th October:
Harwoods Division 1
Northwood SJ v W&B Sports (13:00)
Bembridge v Vectis
Binstead & COB v Osborne Coburg
Shanklin v Ventnor
West Wight v Brading Town
Division 2
East Cowes Sports v Oakfield
High Park v Newport Reserves
Newchurch v Sandown & Lake
Seaview v Pan Community
Combination 1
Osborne Coburg Reserves v Ventnor Reserves (13:00)
Brading Town Reserves v West Wight Rereves
High Park Reserves v W&B Sports Reserves
Northwood SJ Reserves v East Cowes Sports Reserves (16:00)
Combination 2
Bembridge A v Oakfield Reserves
High Park A v West Wight A
Sandown & Lake A v Ryde Saints Reserves
Ventnor A v Niton Community Reserves
Osborne Coburg A v Newchurch Reserves (15:30)
