3rd-placed Cowes Sports take on Stoneham at Westwood Park this afternoon – the team many consider to be favourites for the Wessex Premiership this season.
Last season, the Purples just missed out on promotion to the Southern League on goal difference. This year, they are the only side to retain a 100 per cent record in the Wessex Premier after banging 8 goals past Christchurch midweek.
The Yachtsmen have already had a rollercoaster season with 2 defeats in their opening 2 games followed by a series of draws and then 3 successive victories (2-6, 6-1 and 0-8). The Westwood Park boys have now scored an impressive 20 goals in their last 3 games to take them to 3rd spot in the league.
Can Cowes take 3 points from arguably the league’s strongest side?
Manager Max Draper says:
“We are really looking forward to the challenge of playing Stoneham. They have had a fantastic start to their season, and we are on a great run of results ourselves. We hope the ground is packed for what should be a fantastic game and the start of an exciting run of fixtures.”
“Let’s hope we can continue to improve week on week and put a good performance in.”
On the opposite side of the Medina, 7th-placed East Cowes Vics take on 2nd-from-bottom Clanfield in Wessex Division 1.
Vics have an identical record to the Yachtsmen with 3 wins, a draw and a defeat in their league season to date. However, the Beatrice Avenue boys began their season brilliantly with a hat trick of wins, only to stumble in their last 2 games with a defeat and a draw.
Can the Victorians return to winning ways against Clanfield?
Manager Alex Smith says:
“After the disappointment of Tuesday’s dropped points against Romsey, the players are determined to bounce back on Saturday.
“It’s clear where we need to improve, and the boys are ready to deliver a more comprehensive performance against Clanfield. They’re an improving side and are finding the feet in the league after a draw midweek; we’ll have to start well and set a high tempo to get the result we want.
“Liam Newbold is set to make his 300th Wessex League appearance, which will be his 175th for Vics – a terrific milestone to reach.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, the Port – currently in 11th spot – travel to 8th-placed Cove seeking their 1st win on the road this season.
Can the County Town club take all 3 points?
Chairman John Davies says:
“Port travel to new to the league Cove on Saturday having had a couple of excellent results against Whitchurch and Clanfield, who showed their current league position not to be an accurate reflection of their talents.
“Port played Cove a couple of seasons ago in a cup competition, got the result and would love to repeat that with a squad now beginning to have strength and depth.
“Confidence is an important part of football, and the players are displaying that now and building strong partnerships in areas over the pitch, scoring goals with our strong front 3 and looking defensively solid with our captain deserving of special praise for his recent performances.
“As long as we can cope with the heat, we would love to end the week with points from every game played.”
In the big game in the Harwoods-Renault Isle of Wight League, unbeaten Division 1 leaders Whitecroft & Barton Sports take on 2nd-placed West Wight at Camp Road.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 9th September
Premier Division
Cowes Sports v AFC Stoneham
Division One
Cove v Newport (IoW)
East Cowes Victoria v Clanfield
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 9th September
All games to kick off at 14:00 unless otherwise shown
Harwoods Renault Division 1
Bembridge v Ventnor
Binstead & Cob v Cowes Sports Reserves
Brading Town v High Park
ECS v Shanklin
Vectis v Northwood St Johns
West Wight v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Division 2
AFC Wootton v Ryde Saints
Oakfield v Osborne Coburg
Sandown and Lake v Newport Reserves (13:15)
Seaview v Niton
Combination 1
Northwood St Johns v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Sandown & Lake v Osborne Coburg (15:00)
Shanklin v Brading Town
Ventnor v ECS
Combination 2
Bembridge A v Ventnor A
Niton v Seaview
Ryde Saints v Newchurch
West Wight ‘A’ v High Park FC
