Both Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics will be hoping to advance closer to the playoff places in their respective divisions after impressive midweek victories today (Saturday). UPDATE: 11:00 Laverstock & Ford v Cowes Sports is OFF 
In the Wessex Premier, the Yachtsmen travel to Wiltshire to face 7th-placed Laverstock & Ford. Cowes are currently 9th but are only 3 points behind Sherborne Town in the playoff positions with a game in hand. Manager Max Draper said of his side’s 1-4 midweek win over Blackfield & Langley:
“It was a good win against a determined Blackfield side, who have improved since our game against them at Westwood. “We could have had plenty more on the evening and that was disappointing but hopefully, we have saved a couple for the right games ahead. “A special mention to having Harrison Dempsey back with us after his time abroad and a debut for Will Bridi at 16 after impressing in training with us.”
When asked about his side’s prospects against Laverstock, Max told Island Echo:
“We’ve played 1,2,3,4,5 and most of the top sides. We have shown we can compete but lacked ruthlessness. We showed that against Brockenhurst, who were 5th. “Under no circumstances is this an easy game. It will be a hell of a battle. “We won there last year (0-2), but I’m under no illusions it’s going to be nice or easy.”
UPDATE: 11:00 AFC Aldermaston v East Cowes Vics is OFF In Wessex Division 1, 6th-placed East Cowes Vics travel to Berkshire to face 3rd-from-bottom AFC Aldermaston. Manager Alex Smith says of his side’s recent form:
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to put 2 good performances together and take 2 wins in a row, something we’ve not done often enough. “I’m especially pleased with the manner of both the victories, with commanding and effective football that’s built tremendous pressure in the opposition third. “We’re learning that ‘good’ looks different each week and the players are becoming more in tune with mine and Ells’ messages with each game that passes. “The big question now is whether we can continue to put these performances in game after game and that’s exactly what’s required over the Christmas period.”
Of Vics’ prospects against Aldermaston, Alex told Island Echo:
“Aldermaston brings a fresh challenge, and they’re somewhat of an unknown quantity to us. Away wins are always tough to come by, but we’re intent on keeping our foot on the pedal and we’ll be fully focussed on returning to the Island with 3 points. “Hopefully, we can continue our good form over the festive period, setting ourselves up nicely for a big 2nd half to the season. “Our squad depth is always improving; the signing of Jez (Conway) is looking outstanding and Charlie Marsek is quickly regaining match fitness; Sam Kirby has been turning out excellent performances for the development team, and he’ll feature for us again this weekend as he has in the last 2 games. Ells (Elliot Wheeler) is slowly but surely making his way towards match fitness and competition for places is exceptional.”
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Also in Wessex Division1, 17th-placed Newport welcome the team 1 place below in the league table – Frimley Green – to Beatrice Avenue. The Newport game is subject to a pitch inspection this morning.
The big game in Island football today is at Sandy Lane where top-of-the-table Whitecroft & Barton Sports – who are unbeaten since the start of the season – take on 2nd-placed West Wight in the Gold Cup. Several Isle of Wight football fixtures have already been postponed including the Division 1 games Brading Town v Ventnor and Shanklin v Binstead & COB.
Wessex football fixtures for Saturday 9th December
Wessex Premier Laverstock & Ford v Cowes Sports OFF Wessex Division 1 AFC Aldermaston v East Cowes Vics OFF Newport IoW v Frimley Green OFF
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 9th December
Hampshire Trophy Liphook United v Cowes Sports Reserves Hampshire Vase Osborne Coburg Reserves v AFC Stubbington OFF Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup W&B Sports v West Wight OFF IOW Memorial AFC Wootton v Niton Community OFF Harwoods Division 1 Brading Town v Ventnor OFF East Cowes Sports v Bembridge Northwood SJ v Vectis Shanklin v Binstead & COB OFF Division 2 Newport Reserves v Newchurch OFF Combination 1 Binstead & COB Reserves v West Wight Reserves OFF Sandown & Lake Reserves v Bembridge Reserves Vectis Reserves v Shanklin Reserves OFF Ventnor Reserves v Brading Town Reserves OFF Combination 2 Newchurch Reserves v Bembridge A OFF Seaview Reserves v West Wight A OFF Ventnor A v AFC Wooton Reserves
