The Isle of Wight’s 2 Wessex Premier teams – Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics – have been drawn at home in the first qualifying round of the 2025/26 FA Vase this afternoon (Saturday).
The County Town club Newport travel to Pagham in Sussex for their FA Vase fixture. All 3 sides are 9 games from an appearance at Wembley.
Cowes Sports v Wincanton Town
The Yachtsmen take on Somerset-based Wessex Premier Wincanton Town at the Zilch Waste Stadium (Westwood Park) at 15:00.
The Wasps have had a poor start to the season in the Wessex Premier with 1 draw and 4 defeats in their 5 games to date, whereas the home side have a 100% record in the league with 2 wins from 2 games.
Last season, the Yachtsmen beat the Wasps 3-1 at home but lost the corresponding away fixture by the same margin.
Cowes co-manager Ian Potts says of today’s game:
“We as a club look forward to the Vase and everything it represents. We are playing Wincanton who are in our league, so we know they are a big,physical, decent Wessex League team.
Article continues below this advertisement “They have had a mixed bag of results already this season, but as always we will not take them lightly, the squad have trained well, all the players are vying for starting places and competition is healthy.
“We hopefully will carry on our good performances of late and get a result putting us into the hat for the next round, but this game will not be easy and we will have to be on it all over the pitch.”
East Cowes Victoria v Brockenhurst
Vics take on fellow Wessex Premier side Brockenhurst at Beatrice Avenue.
Both sides are without a league victory in the season to date although the Badgers have played 2 more games than Vics.
Sadly, Vics will be without several first team regulars. These include Liam Newbold (achillies), Liam Triggs (back), Jordan Chapman (ankle) and Aedan Coode (ankle).
Vics’ injury woes worsened on Tuesday when Harrison Yates damaged his knee and Rafferty Boyd-Kerr broke his jaw in 2 places.
Pagham v Newport IW
Newport travel to Pagham, who ply their trade in the Southern Combination Premier – 1 tier above Newport.
Pagham have won 1 and drawn 1 of their 2 league games of the season to date – Port have lost all 3.
Port manager Joe Butcher says of his sides prospects:
“It’s a bit of a free hit to be honest – it’s a game against a side in the league above. I think they’ve won 1 and lost 1 so far – we’ve not had the best start but Saturday was a better performance.
“I think we can go there under no pressure and try and get a result. However, we’ll be missing Hanc (captain Joe Hancott) who’s on holiday, and Henry West is touch and go with an injury.”
PURE PASSION ON THE PITCH AS ISLE OF WIGHT SEASON STARTS
Division 1 and Combination 1 of the Isle of Wight League kick off today, bringing grassroots football back to pitches across the Island.
While the Premier League rolls on with its controversies, cameras and corporate culture, the Isle of Wight League offers a more grounded experience. With free entry or tickets only costing a couple of quid, fans can enjoy football up close – raw, real and fiercely competitive.
Champions Whitecroft & Barton begin their title defence this afternoon with an away trip to newly merged Bembridge & Vectis at Steyne Park. Runners-up Ventnor are also in action, welcoming newly promoted High Park to Watcombe Bottom for what promises to be a lively encounter.
Local clubs such as Whitecroft & Barton, Ventnor, Brading Town and High Park are much more than teams – they are pillars of their communities. Run by volunteers and supported by generations of loyal fans, these clubs bring people together every weekend with shared pride and purpose.
There’s no shortage of talent on show either. From hungry youngsters looking to make their mark, to seasoned players keeping their love for the game alive, every fixture has something to offer. It’s where friendships are formed, rivalries renewed, and memories made.
So if you’re craving football with feeling, ditch the screens and head to a local pitch this weekend. The new season promises drama, determination and plenty of goals – all set against the unique backdrop of the Isle of Wight.
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 23rd August
Games start at 14:00 unless stated
Division 1
Brading Town v Oakfield
Bembridge & Vectis v Whitecroft & Barton Sports (13:30)
Ventnor v High Park
West Wight v Osborne Coburg
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves (15:30)
Oakfield Reserves v West Wight Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves v Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves
Shanklin Reserves v Brading Town Reserves
Ventnor Reserves v High Park Reserves
