Cowes Sports will be seeking their first 3 points of the season against Christchurch at Westwood Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Yachtsmen began their season with a 1-4 battering at home by Baffins; however, last Saturday saw a much improved performance at Brockenhurst, in which the Island’s sole Wessex Premier representatives took their 1st point but were desperately unlucky not to have brought home all 3.
Manager Max Draper says:
“We go into the game off the back of a point at Brockenhurst and another promising performance. The lads were disappointed as on the balance of the game it should have been 3 points. We are creating chances and beginning to find a good structure to our game and training sessions are a real high quality with good intensity.
“Christchurch will be out to get their season kickstarted, much like ourselves. A new management team and new players as well, so it’ll take them a few weeks to settle too. We look forward to the game and hope to bring back the points with another good performance at Westwood.”
Newport also have a home tie – against Ash United at Beatrice Avenue.
The Port will be seeking their 1st points of the new season following 2 narrow defeats away to Downton last Saturday and home to Totton & Eling midweek.
Newport chairman John Davies says:
“We’re anxious to get our 1st points of the season, Our performances in both games so far probably deserved a point in each, Ash normally prove tough opposition, so our new squad will need to be ready for the challenge.”
East Cowes Vics travel to Ringwood Town on the back of 2 successive victories.
Can Vics retain their 100 per cent record in the season to date? The New Forest side – who currently lie in 4th place in Wessex Division 1 – will not be easy opponents, having won 3 of their 4 games in the season so far.
A win for the Island side would suggest Vics are serious challengers for promotion this season.
However, Vics manager Alex Smith is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
Alex says:
“At this stage of the season, form is incredibly difficult to read as it’s not yet entirely clear who the stronger or weaker sides are in the league.
“What we do know is their games have had lots of goals, averaging over five per game and ours, so far, have been quite the opposite. We’ll be looking to bring an element of control to the game and, as always, impose ourselves and our game plan, alongside addressing work-ons from previous games.
“Our focus is very much on putting in a high level performance, individually executing our responsibilities and seeing where that takes us.”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 19th August
Wessex Premier:
Cowes Sports v Christchurch
Wessex Division 1:
Newport (IoW) v Ash United
Ringwood Town v East Cowes Vics
Midweek Wessex League fixtures
Tuesday 22nd August:
Hampshire Senior Cup: Cowes Sports v Hythe & Dibden (19:45)
Wednesday 23rd August:
Hampshire Senior Cup: Lymington Town v East Cowes Vics (19:15)
Newport (IoW) v Baffins Milton Rovers (19:45)
Isle of Wight League fixtures for Saturday 19th August
Division 1
Bembridge v Whitecroft & Barton
Binstead & Cob v Brading Town
ECS v High Park
Shanklin v Vectis
Ventnor v Cowes Sports
West Wight v Northwood St Johns
Division 2
Oakfield v Seaview
Osborne Coburg v Newchurch
Midweek Isle of Wight League fixtures
Tuesday 22nd August
Division 2: Newchurch v Oakfield
Wednesday 23rd August
Division 2: Sandown and Lake v Niton
Division 2: Seaview v AFC Wootton
Division 2: Ryde Saints v Osborne Coburg (19:00)
