Newport are the only Isle of Wight Wessex League side to play at home in the Wessex League Division 1 today (Saturday).
The Port – who currently lie in 15th place – face the side immediately above in the league table: Folland Sports. This will be Folland’s 2nd visit to Beatrice Avenue in the space of a week – last Saturday they beat Vics 2-3 despite having 2 players sent off.
Chairman John Davies says:
“After Tuesday’s defeat in the League Cup, our attention is now solely focused on league points, starting this Saturday. Obviously, it’s a tough fixture. After their smash-and-grab win against Vics last week, Folland will provide a severe test.
“Whilst our recent results don’t look great on paper, the performances on the pitch have been okay; we are just lacking an edge in front of goal and a little bit of luck, but at least we are creating chances. Soon, hopefully, it will all click and that will naturally boost confidence.
“We should hopefully welcome back spike Pearce from suspension and be able to field a near full-strength team, and with 3 away games following, we hope supporters will come out in force to support the team.”
Also in Division 1, Vics were to travel to bottom-of-the-table New Milton Town.
However, the fixture has now been called off.
Manager Alex Smith has said:
“Frustratingly, New Milton have been granted a ‘short-term fixture break to allow them to sort out unexpected internal problems’, and our fixture is therefore postponed.
“I don’t have confirmation on what these unexpected problems are. Clearly, I’ll be highly disappointed if it’s anything to do with a lack of players, as their development team are still playing.”
In the Wessex Premier, 10th-placed Cowes Sports will hope to build on their emphatic 5-1 win against US Portsmouth last Saturday when they travel to North Hampshire to face 8th-placed Andover New Street.
Although the Andover side are 2 places above the Yachtsmen, the Island side have a superior points-per-game average.
Cowes will be boosted by the return of midfielder Brandon Hayward, having recovered from long-term injury.
Manager Max says:
“Andover should be another good test. They’ve settled into their football now after a tough start, and it’s always a tough place to go. We need to make sure we are once again doing our basics well and try to implement our style onto the game.”
“The lads have trained well this week, and it is great to see Brandon Hayward available for selection again. We will do what we can to bring the points back to Westwood ahead of another cracking few weeks of football.”
The big game in Harwoods Isle of Wight Division 1 sees Champions Shanklin face league leaders W&B.
Unfortunately, Shanklin have been hit by loss of manager Paul Haward at the end of last season and the subsequent exodus of many of the team he built.
The Seasiders have yet to find a long-term replacement for their former manager.
The club have said:
“As many know, we advertised for a first-team manager back in April, but no one came forward due to the instability of the club, with many players leaving to step up to Wessex League.
“We have stabilised the club and kept both the first team and reserves going this season with some very promising young players.”
“We would now like to see if anyone would be interested in taking over either the first team or reserves as manager?”
Velocity Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 7th October
Wessex Premier
Andover New Street v Cowes Sports
Wessex Division 1
Newport (IoW) v Folland Sports
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 7th October
Games kick off at 14:00 unless otherwise shown
Harwoods Divisionn 1
Cowes Sports Reserves v Bembridge
ECS v Ventnor
High Park v Northwood St Johns
Shanklin v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Vectis v Binstead & Cob
Division 2
Osborne Coburg v Sandown and Lake (13:00)
AFC Wootton v Newchurch
Newport (IOW) Res v Niton
Combination 1
Bembridge v Vectis
Northwood St Johns v Ventnor
Sandown and Lake v ECS
West Wight v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Osborne Coburg v Shanklin (15:00)
Combination 2
Newchurch v AFC Wootton
Niton v High Park FC
Ryde Saints v Ventnor A
West Wight A’ v Bembridge A
