In the only Wessex League game on the Isle of Wight today (Saturday), 17th-placed Newport take on 2nd-placed Alresford Town at Beatrice Avenue. The County Town club are hoping for a good crowd at the game, which marks the 136th birthday of the football club. The Port are without a win this year since their 4-1 Boxing Day victory over local rivals East Cowes Vics, having gained 2 points out of a possible 9 over their last 3 games. However, their league position is deceptive as the club have 6 games in hand over the clubs immediately above and below them in the league table. Their opponents Alresford have been in excellent form of late and are unbeaten in their last 6 games, taking 14 points out of a possible 18. Kick off at Beatrice Avenue is at 15:00.
Also in Wessex Division 1, 6th-placed East Cowes Vics travel to Surrey to face 18th-placed Frimley Green. Vics are currently just 3 points and 1 place below Cove, who currently occupy the 4th Division 1 playoff place. The East Cowes side have been in indifferent form over their last 6 games, having won 3, drawn 1, and lost 2, picking up 10 points out of a possible 18. Their Surrey-based opponents have been in poor form recently, having had only 1 win over their last 6 league games. However, Vics manager Alex Smith does not believe there are ‘easy’ Wessex League fixtures and has told Island Echo:
“We’re expecting a challenging game against a team who have won 2 of their last 3 home games. “Of course, there were elements to the Ringwood game (won 4-3 at Beatrice Avenue last Saturday) I wasn’t pleased with. Conceding 3 goals at home is disappointing, but to come from behind twice to win the game with 6 1st team regulars unavailable is outstanding. “Our job now is clear: to start putting wins together and backing up performances. In the race for 5th, that’s what’s going to make the difference: who can put a run together. “The top 4 have probably separated themselves, but there are probably 6 teams with an opportunity to grab 5th. “The way the group are conducting themselves is giving us a great chance. We’re preparing well, training well and ticking as many boxes as we can. It’s all about finding the best version of ourselves for every single game now.”
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Wessex League Division 1 table below: 
In the Wessex Premier, 7th-placed Cowes Sports travel to Dorset to face 9th-placed Sherborne Town. The Yachtsmen are currently just 1 point and 2 places below Portland United, who currently occupy the 4th playoff position. Cowes have been in fantastic form since losing to Brixham in the FA Vase back in early November. The Isle of Wight’s sole Wessex Premier representatives are unbeaten in 9 games, taking 25 points out of a possible 27. Their opponents Sherborne have only played twice this year, suffering a 0-1 home loss to Brockenhurst and a 6-1 away drubbing at the hands of Portchester. Cowes Sports manager Max Draper has said of today’s game:
“With Sherborne Town being new to the league, it will be interesting going to a new ground, and competing against a new team. “Their home form shows they are a force to be reckoned with, with only Stoneham, Moneyfields and Brockenhurst leaving with any points at all, so we will have to be at 100% to get anything. “As always, there will be a few changes ,and the squad depth really needs to come to the fore, but we will go there and fight for every ball like always and see where we are at 17:00.”
Wessex Premier table below: 
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 27th January
Wessex Premier: Sherborne Town v Cowes Sports Division 1: Frimley Green v East Cowes Vics Newport (IoW) v Alresford Town
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 27th January
Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup: Ventnor v W & B Sports Junior A Cup: AFC Wootton v Binstead & COB ReservesJunior B Cup: Ryde Saints Reserves v High Park Reserves Harwoods Division 1: Bembridge v VectisBinstead & COB v West WightBrading Town v ShanklinNorthwood SJ v Cowes Sports Reserves.Division 2: Newchurch v Osborne CoburgNewport Reserves v Sandown & LakeNiton Community v SeaviewCombination 1: East Cowes Sports Reserves v W & B Sports ReservesOsborne Coburg Reserves v Vectis ReservesSandown & Lake Reserves v Brading Town ReservesShanklin Reserves v Bembridge ReservesWest Wight Reserves v Northwood SJ ReservesCombination 2: Seaview Reserves v Niton Community ReservesVentnor A v Bembridge A
Great result from newport went 1 down on 12 minutes great football from the home team 2 -1 by half time .newport went 3-1 up shortly after half time ,only to have 1 sent off and 1 in the sin bin but still held on with 9 men a great result against one of the wessex leagues best teams .The fans support was outstanding ..Next game is on Wednesday night up the port!!!!