The first Isle of Wight Gold Cup Quarter Final is set to take place at Beatrice Avenue this evening (Thursday) as Wessex Division 1 Newport take on Island League side Vectis FC. Newport are the Isle of Wight’s most successful club in the Gold Cup competition, having lifted the trophy on no fewer than 41 occasions in post-war years. However, Cowes Sports are the current Gold Cup holders, having beaten Port 4-3 on penalties in the final of last year’s competition. No Isle of Wight League side have won the trophy since Oakfield in 2001. Steve Rackett, Chairman of Newport FC Supporters Trust, the community organisation that owns the football club, says: “The Gold Cup quarter finals should be a moment of celebration for Isle of Wight Football, when Island league sides meet their Wessex League counterparts. We are very much looking forward to hosting Vectis FC, their supporters and their families under floodlights. “The Island League plays a vital role in the success of our three Wessex teams, and the efforts of everyone involved in Vectis FC and all the other Island League clubs are very much appreciated by us, especially those who give their time in coaching and organising every team.
“For these reasons, we are cutting our usual match day admission price from £6 to £4 for adults and £2 concessions for this game and hope to see as many supporters of Island football as possible.”
“We would also like to acknowledge the work of those involved the Isle of Wight Football Association for the organising the league and cup competitions. It’s been good to have a Newport Reserves team back in action in the Island League after absence of a couple of years, and on behalf of the supporters, I would like to thank their manager, Stewart Shepherd, for his efforts this season. It’s been great to watch their progress since last August”
Kick-off at Beatrice Avenue is at 19:30. The Port are reducing their usual admission prices for the game from £6 to £4 for adults.
“The reserves have scored an average of more than 3 goals a game so it has been entertaining.”
