UPDATE 09:30 All games featuring Isle of Wight Wessex League teams have failed pitch inspections this morning (Saturday).
A big crowd is expected at Westwood Park as the Yachtsmen take on top-of-the-table AFC Portchester in a Wessex Premier fixture at Westwood Park on Saturday 10th December.
Portchester have won 16 of their 17 games in the season so far. Leading scorer Brett Pitman has hit the back of the net 23 times in the league. Fellow striker Scott Jones – from the Isle of Wight – has bagged a brace in his last 3 games.
The league leaders are expected to take a hundred supporters with them to the Island. Portchy won 1-8 on their last visit to the Island when they beat Vics in the FA Vase.
Portchester would be unwise to imagine they only need turn up to win on the Island. The last time they played at Westwood Park, they suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat.
Cowes assistant manager, Andy Brown, says:
“Everyone was disappointed with Tuesday’s result (3-0 defeat at Baffins Milton Rovers); however, not in our performance for 70 mins, where we were well in the game.
Article continues below this advertisement “We now need to take that part of our game and maintain it for the full 90-plus minutes versus the best side in the league. Portchester is obviously going to be really tough, against some top players. However, it’s a great challenge plus experience, especially for our young lads.”
Kick-off for the Cowes Sports v Portchester game is at 13:30 to allow the away team’s supporters time to return home to watch the England game in the evening.
In other Wessex League games …
Alex Smith faces his 1st test as manager as East Cowes Vics take on 13th-placed Ringwood Town at Beatrice Avenue in Wessex Division 1. 3rd-from-bottom Vics have yet to win a single home game in the season to date. Kick-off is also at the earlier time of 13:30.
Newport’s game against Whitchurch United has been postponed due to heavy frost.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 10th December
Premier Division
Cowes Sports v AFC Portchester (13:30) POSTPONED
Division One
East Cowes Victoria v Ringwood Town (13:30) POSTPONED
Whitchurch United v Newport (IoW) (14:00) POSTPONED
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 10th December 2022
Information updated at 12:30 Saturday 10th December
Hampshire FA Trophy – 3rd Round
Hedge End Rangers v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Knightwood United v Binstead & COB
Sandown & Lake v Yateley United
Hampshire FA Vase – 3rd Round
Hamble United v Brading Town Reserves
Meon Milton Reserves v Oakfield Reserves
Harwoods Renault Division 1
Bembridge v Vectis
ECS v Brading Town ON
Pan Community v Cowes Sports Reserves
Ryde Saints v Oakfield
Shanklin v West Wight ON
Harwoods Renault Division 2
AFC Wootton v Seaview ON
High Park v Niton Community OFF
Osborne Coburg v Carisbrooke United OFF
Yarmouth & Calbourne v Newchurch
No Fixture: East Cowes Vics Reserves
Harwoods Renault Combination Division 1
Binstead & COB v Sandown & Lake OFF
West Wight v Bembridge OFF
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Northwood St Johns OFF
No Fixture: ECS, Shanklin, Vectis
Harwoods Renault Combination Division 2
Newchurch v Pan Community ON
Niton Community v Osborne Coburg OFF
Ventnor v Ryde Saints
No Fixture: AFC Wootton, Bembridge A
