Cowes Sports face Wessex Division 1 Whitchurch United in the 1st Round of the FA Vase in the biggest football game on the Isle of Wight today (Saturday).
In the 1st Qualifying Round, the Yachtsmen beat Wessex Premier giants Portchester on penalties; in the 2nd Round, they overcame Alton 1-2 with 2 late goals.
Manager Max Draper says:
“After 2 tough away draws at Portchester and Alton, we have our first Vase game at Westwood. After some difficult moments in the last 2 games, we are looking to correct a few things, but go into it knowing what needs to happen and know we are capable of putting a good performance in.
“Whitchurch will be no mugs. They score goals and have a clear style of play, which is why they have high-scoring games, so we need to ensure we play at our tempo and control the controllable.
“We welcome Liam Triggs back into the squad after recovering from a knock against Portchester but lose George Colson to suspension.
“Here’s to a good day and hopefully a good match for the Cowes followers with the right result.”
In Wessex Division 1, 9th-placed East Cowes Vics take on 4th-placed Cove at Beatrice Avenue.
Victory would see Vics edge closer to the playoff positions.
Manager Alex Smith commented:
“The boys have quickly bounced back from Tuesday evening’s performance at Brockenhurst, and are looking forward to the Cove game.
“We’re expecting a tough test against a side who have won 5 on the bounce in the league and as such have risen to the playoff places.
“We’ll take confidence from our first half performance against Fleetlands last week and from the fact we grabbed the win.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, 17th-placed Newport travel to Dorset to face 13th-placed Verwood Town.
The Port will hope to bounce back from their disastrous visit to Alresford Town last Saturday, which resulted in 5 red cards for the County Town club.
Chairman John Davies told Island Echo:
“Newport travel to Verwood, looking to put the debacle of Alresford behind us. There are naturally consequences in terms of suspensions and – coupled with the injury list to which we unfortunately added Spike Pearce last week – we are down to the bare bones in terms of squad availability.
“However, sometimes through adversity comes a renewed spirit, and I’m sure the players who do play will strive to get a much-needed result and give everyone a lift.
“The position we find ourselves in is partly self-inflicted and is partly through actions beyond our control. We just have to learn to rise above the mediocrity we keep coming across each week, stay together and come out the other side.”
In the Island Echo Challenge Cup…
In the 1st Round of the Island Echo Challenge Cup, Shanklin face High Park at the County Ground, and Vectis play Northwood St Johns at Cowes Community College.
The pick of the fixtures sees the side currently in 2nd spot in the Division 1 table, West Wight, take on Division 1 leaders W&B at Camp Road.
West Wight captain Ash Brett comments:
“We’ve been on a great run since our opening day loss and had some brilliant battling wins against tough opposition away from home recently. We’re looking forward to being back at Camp Road but we know this will be our toughest game of the season so far.
“We’re looking forward to it. If we can beat them in one of our cup games then we can take that belief into the league.”
In women’s football…
In Hampshire Division 1, Shanklin Ladies face Gosport Borough Ladies at the County Ground with kick off at the earlier time of 13:00.
Player manager Gemma Woodford says:
“After a disappointing result last week, we’re looking to get back to winning ways. We are still missing a few players through injury, but the squad is looking good this week.
“It’s a 13:00 kick off, so it would be nice to get people down and support the ladies.”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 21st October
FA Vase
Cowes Sports v Whitchurch United
Wessex Division 1
East Cowes Vics v Cove
Verwood Town v Newport (IoW)
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 21st October
All games kick off at 14:00
Island Echo Challenge Cup
Shanklin v High Park
Vectis v Northwood St Johns
West Wight v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Harwoods Division 1
Bembridge v Cowes Sports Reserves
Brading Town v Ventnor
Ken Morris Junior A Cup
Binstead & Cob Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
Newchurch v Brading Town Reserves
Newport (IOW) Newport Res v Sandown and Lake Reserves
Northwood St Johns Reserves v Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves
Osborne Coburg v Niton
Ryde Saints v Bembridge Reserves
Seaview v AFC Wootton
Ventnor Reserves v Sandown and Lake
Combination 2
Bembridge A v Niton Reserves
Fixtures courtesy of IOW DFA
Women’s football fixtures for Sunday 22nd October
Hants Women’s League Division 1
Shanklin Ladies v Gosport Borough Ladies (13:00)
Division 3
Wight Eagles Ladies v Bursledon Ladies Reserves
