All 3 Isle of Wight Wessex League sides start their 2026 fixtures today (Saturday), with Port and Vics having home ties on opposite banks of the Medina, while the Yachtsmen sail across the Solent to face Downton.
In the Wessex Premier, 14th-placed Cowes Sports face a challenging fixture at 11th-placed Downton, who include ex-Pompey professional Brett Pitman in their ranks.
Mark Woodhouse began his reign as sole manager with 2 straight wins at home to Portland United and away to New Milton Town. However, the Yachtsmen’s momentum stalled with a narrow 0-1 home defeat against local rivals Vics on Boxing Day.
The Yachtsmen lost the corresponding fixture at the Zilch Waste Stadium 1-3. Can Cowes return to good form against the Robins?
Manager Mark Woodhouse says:
“We are looking forward to getting back to playing after the Christmas break, and it is a busy time coming up. This starts an incredible sequence of away games with 3 in a week. The lads will be looking to gain a better result than when we faced Downton at home and are up for the challenge.
“In terms of preparation, the boys have been able to train amongst the busy schedule of family time, so we hope this will stand us in good stead for a tough away trip. A challenge which we eagerly await.”
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Cowes Sports play Laverstock & Ford in the League Cup on Tuesday evening, following which they are away to Bournemouth on Saturday, 10th January.
Also in the Wessex Premier, 13th-placed East Cowes Vics take on 17th-placed Hythe & Dibden at Beatrice Avenue.
An East Cowes Vics spokesperson has said of today’s game:
“A Josh Neale hat-trick, including a dramatic 94th minute winner, secured all 3 points at the Hythe Garage Stadium back in October – the boys will give everything to make it another win.”
Previously unfashionable Vics are in the unfamiliar position of being the top Isle of Wight club (according to league position) after their Boxing Day win on the other side of the Medina. But will they end their season at the top of the pile?
Update (12:00): Newport v Cove is OFF (frozen pitch)
In Wessex Division 1, 11th-placed Newport face 5th-placed Cove at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
Port have played only 1 league fixture since 8th November, losing 2-4 at home to Folland Sports. The County Town club have numerous games in hand over all the teams above – including Cove. Were they to win all their games in hand, Newport would be level on points with their North Hampshire opponents
Newport have been bolstered by the return of promising defender George Holbrook from East Cowes Victoria, and he is expected to go straight into the squad, subject to league approval for the transfer.
Manager Joe Butcher says of his sides prospects against Cove – and chances of rejoining the playoff places chasing pack in 2026:
“Obviously a difficult game, not helped by the fact we’ve had one Wessex game since 8th November. But we have a full squad available and will be boosted by securing George Holbrook back from Vics.
“It is possible [for us to challenge for a playoff place], but we have got a serious fixture pile up and not a huge squad. If we get injuries to key players that would hamper our chances.”
In Isle of Wight football, the biggest game is the Gold Cup quarter final clash between W&B and Shanklin at Sandy Lane, to determine which Island League side will join the 3 Wessex League clubs in the semi finals.
In other games, West Wight will top Harwoods Division 1 on goal difference if they beat High Park at Camp Road.
Four Isle of Wight teams are involved in the Hampshire Vase, with High Park Reserves, ECS, Newport Reserves and West Wight A all travelling to North Island to face mainland opposition.
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 3rd January
Hampshire Vase
AW Jeffreys v High Park Reserves
Bournemouth Electric v ECS
Hythe Aztecs v Newport Reserves
Yateley United v West Wight A
Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup
W&B v Shanklin
Memorial Cup:
Oakfield v Bembridge & Vectis
Junior A
Binstead & CoB v West Wight Reserves
Newchurch v Niton
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves v ECS Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves v Brading Town Reserves
Harwoods Division 1
Brading Town v Cowes Sports Reserves
Northwood SJ v Osborne Coburg
West Wight v High Park
Division 2
Pan Community v Sandown & Lake
Seaview v Ryde Saints
Combination 1
Sandown & Lake Reserves v W&B Reserves
Shanklin Reserves v Ventnor Reserves
Combination 2
Newchurch Reserves v Bembridge & Vectis A
Oakfield A v High Park A
Sandown & Lale A v Binstead & COB Reserves
West Wight A v Ventnor A
