In their penultimate league fixture this weekend, Newport face 2nd-from-bottom Fleet Spurs at Smallbrook on Saturday (9th April).
Since losing 1-3 to Port at home last month, Fleet Spurs have managed a win and a draw; however, they have lost heavily to 2 other clubs at the top end of the table in recent weeks. The Port will be brimming with confidence given the improvement in their recent form, in particular a fantastic performance and win against fellow promotion chasers Andover Town midweek.
4th-placed Port are currently 3 points behind Division 1 pacesetters Bemerton with only 2 games left to play. Just 3 points separate the top 4 clubs: Bemerton, Andover New Street, Folland Sports, and Newport, with the 5th-placed club, Laverstock and Ford, 6 points behind the leaders.
Clubs in positions 2 to 5 are eligible for a play off place with the top club gaining automatic promotion to the Wessex Premier. In the play off semi-finals, the 2nd-placed club plays the 5th, with the 3rd and 4th also locking horns. The play off winners then meet in the play off final on 23rd April. In all the play off games, including the final, the highest placed club has home advantage.
Newport are already assured of a play off place after beating 6th-placed Andover Town on Tuesday evening.
East Cowes Vics will have a massive say in which team wins Wessex Division 1. This Saturday, Vics face Division 1 leaders Bemerton at Beatrice Avenue; the following Saturday, Vics play 2nd-placed Andover New Street at home; on Tuesday evening, Vics meet Newport in a Gold Cup semi-final at Westwood Park.
Vics manager Richie Woodburn says of his side’s prospects against Bemerton:
“We are entering the last week of the season and have two monstrous games ahead. League leaders Bemerton are first up: the ideal game for us in terms of preparation for Tuesday, basically a free hit. Our lads usually save their best performances for such occasions and with competition for places in the Gold Cup Semi at stake, we are certainly looking for a response after our 2nd half showing last week.”
Bemerton manager Shaun Hale, who grew up in Newport, says of the game:
“From our point of view, we must win both of our remaining games to win the league. I’m expecting a really tough game at Vics; they have secured Wessex league football for next season, and the pressure is off them. They are dangerous opponents as they’ve recently proved by beating Downton who themselves are a top side. It’ll be a tough game for sure, and I’m looking for us to continue our 13-game unbeaten league run.
“If we do manage to win the league and avoid the playoffs then I’m hoping Newport can get themselves promoted too, being my hometown club, I’d love for them to come up with us.”
In the Wessex Premier, 16th-placed Cowes Sports face a long journey to North Hampshire to face 10th-placed Alton. The Yachtsmen are currently winless in 8 games since beating United Services Portsmouth 3-1 back in February. Tuesday’s 7-0 defeat at Fareham Town saw the Island’s top football club breach the 100-barrier for goals conceded this season. However, the Yachtsmen may take heart from having beaten Alton 4-1 in the corresponding fixture at Westwood Park in November.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 9th April …
All fixtures to commence at 15:00
Premier Division:
Alton v Cowes Sports
Division One:
East Cowes Vics v Bemerton Heath Harlequins
Newport IoW v Fleet Spurs
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 9th April …
All Fixtures to kick-off at 15:00 unless otherwise shown
The All Things Printed Ltd Isle of Wight Challenge Cup: Semi-Final
Sandown & Lake v Shanklin (13:30)
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Binstead & COB v Niton
Community Cowes Sports v Oakfield
Vectis v Brading Town
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v West Wight
No Fixture: Bembridge; Northwood St Johns
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2
East Cowes Sports v Newchurch
Osborne Coburg v High Park
Seaview v Carisbrooke United
Ventnor v Adgestone
Yarmouth & Calbourne v Pan Community
No Fixture: East Cowes Vics Reserves; Newport Reserves; Wroxall
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1
Bembridge v Binstead & COB
Brading Town v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Sandown & Lake v Northwood St Johns (15:45)
Shanklin v West Wight
No Fixture: Oakfield: Osborne Coburg & Ryde Saints
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 2
Bembridge ‘A’ v East Cowes Sports
Pan Community v Carisbrooke United
Midweek fixtures …
Evening fixtures to kick-off at 18:00 unless otherwise stated
Tuesday 12th April 2022
The Harwoods DACIA Senior (Gold) Cup
Semi-Final @ Westwood Park Cowes (19:30)
East Cowes Vics v Newport IOW
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Brading Town v Whitecroft & Barton Sports (19:00)
Wednesday 13th April 2022
The Ken Morris Junior ‘A’ Cup Final
@ East Cowes Vics FC (19:30)
Pan Community v Northwood St Johns Reserves
The Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist Isle of Wight 1st Irish Rifles Memorial Cup: 4th Round
Ryde Saints v Bembridge (19:00)
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Sandown & Lake v Binstead & COB
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2
AFC Wootton v Yarmouth & Calbourne
Wroxall v East Cowes Sports
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1
West Wight v Brading Town
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Sandown & Lake
Fixtures Courtesy of IOW DFA
