In the only Wessex League game to be played on the Isle of Wight today (16th September), Newport take on Division 1 leaders Hamworthy Recreation at Beatrice Avenue.
This will be a tough challenge for the Port. Hamworthy Rec are unbeaten in the league, having won all but 1 of their 8 games in the season to date.
However, the County Town club have seen an improvement in form recently and are themselves unbeaten in their last 3 fixtures.
Newport Chairman John Davies says:
“This is going to be potentially toughest test of the season against the team most have talked about as champions elect.
“We had an excellent week last week, picking up 7 points in 3 games and continue to build the team spirit.
“Unfortunately, our centre back partnership will be broken up, due to Spike Pearce’s suspension commencing.
“But, in theory, it’s a free hit and come 17:00, we will know how far we have come since pre-season.”
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Also in Wessex Division 1, 7th-placed East Cowes Vics travel to North Hampshire to face 15th-placed Ash United.
Like Newport, Vics are unbeaten in 3. Their opponents are on a poor run having lost their last 3 games.
Vics manager Alex Smith said of his side’s midweek win over Whitchurch United:
“We were able to make a number of changes against Whitchurch midweek. and the players who came into the side gave an excellent account of themselves.
“We put together some excellent combinations and dictated long passages of play to take full control of the game. A couple of moments of sloppiness and lack of focus cost us 2 goals and that will be a good lesson learnt moving forwards.”
Smith says of his side’s prospects against Ash:
“Ash will no doubt prove a stern test, and we’re well prepared for a test of our ability and character.
“I’m delighted with the way the squad is progressing; we’ll look to assert ourselves on the game, driving the tempo and setting high standards – doing the basics right is our priority.”
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports face a long journey to Portland United in Dorset.
The Yachtsmen have lost their last 2 games against very strong opposition: title favourites Stoneham and Championship side Southampton (although the Saints fielded players from their Development squads).
Portland have failed to win in the league in the season to date. However, manager Max Draper is not anticipating an easy victory.
Max says:
“The league is our bread and butter. We’ve got to go there to try to get a win.
“But it’s going to be a tough game. Portland are a very athletic, dynamic and physical side.”
In women’s football, the Isle of Wight’s highest ranked side – Shanklin Ladies – take on AFC Varsity in Hampshire County Division 1.
Last Sunday, Shanklin had an impressive 2-8 victory away to Fleet Town in the FA Cup.
Manager Gemma Woodford says:
“All the girls are feeling positive and confident after a massive win in the FA Cup last week against a team in the league above.
“We don’t know anything about Varsity, but I believe if we play how we played last week then we can beat anyone in our league.”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 16th September
All games kick off at 15:00
Premier Division
Portland United v Cowes Sports
Division One
Ash United v East Cowes Victoria
Newport (IoW) v Hamworthy Recreation
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 16th September
All games to kick off at 14:00 unless otherwise shown
Harwoods Division 1
Bembridge v West Wight
Brading Town v Vectis
Cowes Sports Reserves v Binstead & Cob
ECS v High Park
Shanklin v Ventnor
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Northwood St Johns
Harwoods Division 2
Wootton v Osborne Coburg (13:00)
Newport (IOW) Res v Seaview
Niton v Newchurch
Sandown and Lake v Oakfield
Harwoods Combination 1
Binstead & Cob v Vectis
Northwood St Johns v Shanklin
Osborne Coburg v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Ventnor Reserves v Sandown and Lake Reserves
West Wight v Bembridge
Harwoods Combination 2
AFC Wootton v Ryde Saints (15:15)
Bembridge A v Newchurch
High Park v Ventnor A
Women’s football fixtures for Sunday 17th September
Hampshire Division 1: Varsity v Shanklin Ladies
Hampshire Division 2: Cowes Sports Ladies v Widbrook United
Hampshire Division 3: Wight Eagles Ladies v Rushmoor Community
