Island League football returns today (Saturday) with 16 opening-day matches and one big question: can anyone stop Whitecroft & Barton Sports from winning a fourth successive championship?
Whitecroft & Barton Sports have dominated Division 1 for the past 3 seasons, becoming the team everyone hopes to beat.
Manager Joe Rayner expects last season’s runners-up West Wight to pose the biggest threat to his side’s crown, with Bembridge & Vectis also firmly on his radar.
Rayner said:
“I think the league will be very competitive this season with the new format.”
West Wight have done little over the summer to discourage that assessment. They have kept together the side which enjoyed cup success last season and won all 4 of their pre-season matches.
New arrival Barry Collins has already been among the goals, while former Newport Southern League player Si Pilcher brings considerable experience to the first-team squad.
There is no gentle start for the champions. Bembridge & Vectis visit Sandy Lane on opening day, while West Wight begin with a potentially awkward trip to Brading Town.
The top flight also welcomes promoted Binstead & Cob and Sandown & Lake, while Osborne Coburg drop into Division 2. Ventnor and High Park are no longer competing in Isle of Wight football.
The new split-league format could make the championship race particularly intriguing. Once the first 18 games have been completed, the top 5 will face each other again during the run-in – giving the leading sides little room to hide when the championship is decided.
With Binstead & Cob and Sandown & Lake promoted, Division 2 looks wide open. Hampshire Vase winners East Cowes Sports will be among those hoping to take advantage, beginning their campaign at home to Newport Reserves.
For spectators, one of the great attractions of Island League football remains the price. Most games are completely free, while Cowes Sports Reserves, Brading Town and West Wight only charge a couple of quid.
Supporters can stand close to the action, watch players representing our towns and villages, witness the occasional agricultural tackle and hear precisely what the referee thinks of everyone’s advice.
With 16 Island League matches on Saturday, there should be a game within easy reach of almost everyone. No ferry, no advance booking and no eye-watering ticket price – just pick a ground and turn up.
In the Wessex League…
Away from the Island League, Newport’s Saturday afternoon meeting with Amesbury Town will feel like another homecoming.
Tuesday night’s meeting with Fawley may have been the first competitive match at WightFibre Park, but a Saturday afternoon crowd is different.
After more than 7 years without a ground of their own, Port can finally offer supporters something that was once completely routine – watching Newport play a league match at home at 15:00 on a Saturday.
Fawley spoiled Tuesday’s celebrations with a 0–3 victory, meaning WightFibre Park is still waiting for its first competitive Newport goal. Amesbury Town’s visit therefore gives Port the chance to tick off 2 landmarks at once – a first goal and, they hope, a first win at their new home.
Cowes Sports also have home advantage, with bottom side Christchurch visiting Westwood Park still searching for their first Wessex Premier point.
East Cowes Vics face the Island’s toughest-looking Wessex assignment, travelling to Dorset to take on 3rd-placed Sturminster Newton United.
With 18 men’s matches being played on the Island on Saturday, from Combination football to the Wessex League, there is precious little excuse for spending the afternoon cutting the grass.
Saturday’s fixtures
Wessex Premier
Cowes Sports v Christchurch
Sturminster Newton United v East Cowes Vics
Wessex Division 1
Newport v Amesbury Town
Isle of Wight Division 1
Oakfield v Cowes Sports Reserves (13:00)
Binstead & Cob v Northwood St Johns
Brading Town v West Wight
Shanklin v Sandown & Lake
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Bembridge & Vectis
Isle of Wight Division 2
East Cowes Sports v Newport Reserves (13:00)
East Cowes Vics Reserves v Ryde Saints
Niton v Osborne Coburg
Seaview v Newchurch
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves v Binstead & Cob Reserves
Sandown & Lake Reserves v Oakfield Reserves
West Wight Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
East Cowes Sports Reserves v Brading Town Reserves (15:30)
Combination 2
Bembridge & Vectis A v Osborne Coburg Reserves
Northwood St Johns Reserves v Brading Town A
Newchurch Reserves v West Wight A
