In today’s big match, Wessex Premier Cowes Sports host Western League Brixham AFC at Westwood Park in the 2nd Round of the FA Vase. Max Draper admits that the Devon-based side are something of an unknown quantity. However, Brixham reached the 5th round of the Vase last season and therefore should not be underestimated. Manager Max says:
“We head into Saturday after a positive week. FA Vase fixtures are always exciting, especially when you’re facing a team that you know very little about. “The lads trained last night and understand the plan for the weekend. Not knowing much is sometimes a bonus as it will be a case of focusing on the controllable and putting our best out on the pitch. “Hopefully we can head into the next round of another cup.”
Totton & Eling v East Cowes Vics is OFF In Wessex Division 1, 9th-placed East Cowes Vics travel to face the side 2 places above Totton & Eling. Manager Alex Smith says of the game:
“Totton & Eling would have to be favourites. Coming off the back of a 3-0 win away at Alresford, they’ll be buoyed and confident. “As ever, we have an unwavering belief that if we play at our maximum level then we’ll win the game. We’re developing exceptionally well both as individuals and as a collective, but we’re still putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. “It’s the start of a challenging fixture run for us, with the outcome of the next 3 Saturdays having a big impact on the way the top third of the table looks. The culture within the group is outstanding and the players are looking forward to testing themselves against some of the best teams in the division.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, 17th-placed Newport have a home tie against Ringwood Town at Beatrice Avenue.
Most Island League clubs are in Hampshire Cup action this Saturday: Shanklin, High Park, Ventnor, East Cowes Vics Development and W&B play in the Hants Trophy; Sandown & Lake, North Warnborough, W&B Reserves, Bembridge Reserves and West Wight Reserves all have games in the FA Vase.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 11th November
FA Vase: Cowes Sports v Brixham AFC Wessex Division 1: Newport (IoW) v Ringwood Town Totton & Eling v East Cowes Vics OFF
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 11th November
Hants Trophy: Shanklin v Cowes Sports Reserves OFF Sway v High Park OFF Ventnor v East Cowes Vics Development W&B v Stockbridge Hants Vase: Folland Sports Development v Sandown & Lake North Warnborough v Osborne Coburg Station v W&B Reserves Bembridge Reserves v Silchester Village Fordingbridge Turks v West Wight Reserves Harwoods Division 1: Binstead & Cob v ECS Vectis v West Wight Division 2: Niton v Ryde Saints OFF Combination 2: Newchurch Reserves v High Park Reserves OFF Ryde Saints Reserves v Bembridge A OFF Seaview Reserves v Ventnor Reserves OFF
