Isle of Wight football kicks off today (Saturday) with 6 games in Division 1 and 5 in Combination 1. The big game in the top league is at Watcombe Bottom where champions Whitecroft & Barton Sports take on Memorial Cup holders Ventnor – considered by many to be their closest challengers. The 2 sides faced off in the final of the Island Echo Challenge Cup last season, with W&B lifting the trophy on penalties after drawing 3-3 over 90 minutes. Ventnor have improved their side in the close season, signing former National League defender Ryan Woodford, who has previously played for Gosport Borough, Havant & Waterlooville and Portchester. The South Wight side have also signed 2 W&B players – Liam Harper and Kyle Drew.
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports take on promoted Hamworthy Recreation at Westwood Park. The Yachtsmen drew their opening league fixture away to Fareham Town. On Tuesday, the Isle of Wight’s sole representatives in the Emirates FA Cup were knocked out of the competition at the extra preliminary round stage by Wiltshire side Laverstock & Ford. Manager Max Draper said of the disappointing defeat:
“Lavvy on the night deserved the win. They were fitter and more aggressive than us. 2 of the goals were disappointing to concede, but we move on.”
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Max says of his sides prospects against Hamworthy:
“Hamworthy are obviously in a good place and they’re well drilled, dangerous side. We will have to be at our best to get a result. “We go into the game welcoming back McKie and Triggs to the fold but will be without 6 regulars, so the squad depth will be important.”
On the other side of the Medina, in Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics take on Hamworthy United in their opening game of the season at Beatrice Avenue. Vics were to play Romsey Town at home last Saturday, but the game was disappointingly cancelled due to ferry issues. Manager Alex Smith is upbeat about his side’s prospects in the coming season, stating:
“We’ve prepared for the season exceptionally well, and I’m delighted with the way the squad has come together. The group is young, ambitious and completely buys in to the game model that we’re looking to execute; we’re still improving with every training session. It’s a squad that I’m very proud to lead into the season. “Hamworthy are somewhat of unknown quantity but we’re well aware of their pedigree and ambitions as a club. We’ll take faith from our preparations and attack the game very positively.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, top-of-the-table Newport IW travel to North Hampshire to face Ash United. Port began their season on Wednesday with an emphatic 5-1 win against Lymington Town at Beatrice Avenue. New co-manager Joe Butcher has said of the midweek victory:
“I’m really happy with Wednesday, especially the 1st half where I think we could’ve been 5-6/0 up at half time. Second half, we were a bit complacent, but I’m more than happy with a 5-1 win for our first game in charge.”
Joe is not complacent about returning to the Island with 3 points, saying:
“Ash is a tough one, as they are one of the longer trips; they can be an unknown going into a new season. I saw they lost their first game, but it’s always a tough place to go, and we’ll be preparing for it properly.”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 10th August
Games to kick off at 15:00 Wessex Premier Cowes Sports v Hamworthy Recreation Division 1 East Cowes Vics v Hamworthy United Ash United v Newport IW
Isle of Wight League fixtures for Saturday 10th August
Games to kick off at 14:00 unless otherwise stated Harwoods Division 1 Bembridge v Osborne Coburg Brading Town v Northwood SJ Shanklin v Cowes Sports Reserves (13:00) Vectis v AFC Wootton OFF Ventnor v W & B Sports West Wight v Binstead & COB Combination 1 Bembridge Reserves v High Park Reserves Binstead & COB Reserves v Northwood SJ Reserves East Cowes Sports Reserves v Ventnor Reserves Osborne Coburg Reserves v Brading Town Reserves Shanklin Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves (16:00)
