Isle of Wight football clubs return to action tomorrow (Saturday) after a weekend off to mourn the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
All 3 Wessex League clubs have games in their respective divisions, and there is a full programme in the Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight Saturday Football League.
East Cowes Vics – who are the only Island Wessex League side in action on Saturday – face Whitchurch United in Wessex Division 1.
Manager Richie Woodburn says:
“Both teams are on 6pts, and we are unbeaten at home but yet to win at home, so this is a massively important game for us: win, and we push into midtable – lose and we can get dragged back towards the bottom.
“Whitchurch have conceded heavily in their opening games, so this is a winnable game. We were in determined solid form before the break last weekend and hope we continue in that same vein, so this is a big opportunity to add to our encouraging start to the season. Captain Liam Newbold is available for selection again after injury, while Coner Lyons begins his 3-game suspension for his red against Andover Town last time out.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, Newport – who have yet to play a ‘home’ fixture at Smallbrook this season – travel to Romsey Town.
Newport will cross the Solent full of confidence after a strong performance and victory against Downton in Wiltshire 2 weeks ago. However, Romsey’s form has picked up recently after losing their 2 opening home games. The Hampshire club have won their last 2 competitive fixtures, including a penalty shootout win over Wessex Premier outfit Christchurch in the League Cup.
There is only a point and 2 league places separating the 2 sides, so another close encounter is to be expected.
In the Wessex Premier, 18th-placed Cowes Sports travel to the New Forest to face 8th-placed Brockenhurst.
The Yachtsmen have won just 1 of their 4 games in the competition to date. However, the Badgers are currently in poor form, having taken only 1 point from their last 4 league games.
The match at Brockenhurst will mark goalkeeper Ed Hatt’s 10th anniversary of appearing between the sticks for the Cowes club.
Isle of Wight Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 17th September:
Premier Division
Brockenhurst v Cowes Sports Premier (14:30)
Division 1
East Cowes Victoria v Whitchurch United (15:00)
Romsey Town v Newport (IoW) (15:00)
Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight Saturday Football League
Fixtures for Saturday 17th September 2022
All fixtures to start at 15:00 unless otherwise shown
Division 1
Bembridge v Oakfield
Binstead & COB v Vectis
Cowes Sports Reserves v Brading Town
ECS v Ryde Saints
Northwood St Johns v Shanklin
Sandown & Lake v West Wight
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Pan Community (13:30)
Division 2
Carisbrooke United v High Park
Newchurch v East Cowes Vics
Osborne Coburg v Ventnor
Seaview v AFC Wootton
Yarmouth & Calbourne v Niton Community
Combination 1
Brading Town v Binstead & COB
Oakfield v Sandown & Lake
Shanklin v Northwood St Johns
West Wight v ECS
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Bembridge (15:45)
No Fixture: Vectis
Combination 2
AFC Wootton v Niton Community
Pan Community v Bembridge ‘A’
Ryde Saints v Newchurch
Ventnor v Osborne Coburg
No Fixture: Carisbrooke United
Isle of Wight fixtures courtesy of Isle of Wight DFA
