After all Wessex League games were washed out over the weekend, football returns to Beatrice Avenue on Boxing Day with a much anticipated clash between 2 of the big 3 Island teams: East Cowes Vics and Newport IW FC.
The pitch – on the swift draining Beatrice Avenue ground – is reported to be in fine condition with no rain forecast for Christmas Day, although unsettled weather is expected for Boxing Day.
Landlords, Vics, lying second-from-bottom in Wessex League One, will be the home side in this fixture. Unfortunately, the East Cowes side has yet to win at home all season. However, under new manager, Richie Woodburn, Vics have enjoyed a mini-revival beating Fawley 2-0 away in Richie’s first game in charge and drawing away to third placed Downton in their last competitive match against Downton on 14th December.
The tenants, Newport, lying in 8th place, will be hoping to kick-start their push for promotion by winning the Island derby. The Port beat the then league leaders, Hythe & Dibden, 2-1 in their last league fixture at Beatrice Avenue. The Port won the corresponding fixture against Vics 6-1 in August in front of a crowd of over 300. and Vics will be hoping to avenge their defeat at the start of the season.
Vics manager, Richie Woodburn, told Island Echo he was fortunate to have a full squad to choose from:
“We have too many available for the squad and some tough decisions have to be made. Brandon Hayward is now available, and Keenan Walsh and Elias Ahmed have come back from university. We have been training hard. I just hope none of the players have over-indulged on Christmas Day.
“Newport have the stronger squad, but form goes out the window in games such as these. It all comes down to who wants it the most. This is an opportunity for the lads to show what they can do.”
Newport manager, Andy Sampson, was tight-lipped about squad availability and his team’s chances. He told Island Echo:
“We could have a few missing. Something might happen on Christmas Day. Most will be there.”
“It should be a good, competitive game, but I can’t predict what is going to happen. I hope we get a decent crowd who come back for more games and that we manage to put on a show. I’m looking forward to it.”
Kick off for the Wessex League One East Cowes Vics v Newport IW game on Boxing Day (26th December) will be at 11:00. Island Echo will be providing a full match report.
