Newport IW FC are set to play Wessex League 1 leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins at Smallbrook on Saturday (27th November) in a game that may help decide the destination of the Division 1 title.
The game is of particular importance as only the league winners are certain of promotion, with the 2nd to 5th placed teams requiring playoffs to reach the Wessex Premier.
The Port were leading Division 1 last Saturday after beating Folland Sports. However, Bemerton’s 0-4 victory at Verwood Town on Tuesday returned the Salisbury-based side to the top of the table, a point ahead of rivals Newport.
Bemerton manager Shaun Hale is a Newport boy, who grew up on Pan Estate, playing for Newport and Whitecroft & Barton before joining the army. Prior to becoming Bemerton manager in December 2020, Shaun played for a number of well-known non-league clubs, including Havant & Waterlooville and Salisbury City.
Saturday will see the home debut of former Portsmouth player Joe Hancott for Newport. Joe was the youngest player to appear in a Pompey shirt in the post-war period when he made an appearance aged 16 years and 161 days in 2017. Unfortunately, Joe’s career with Portsmouth was cut short by a freak knee injury in 2019.
Joe was released by Portsmouth earlier this year, subsequently playing for Southern League Bognor before signing for the Port last Friday. Joe will take the place of left-back Neo Lamb, who is taking time out in Mexico. Joe is the grandson of former Seaview Brading Town player, Barry Hancott.
Newport have also made a further significant signing: goalkeeper Ciaran Hards. Ciaran is the son of former Newport goalkeeper, Neil, who went on to play for Newport County. Ciaran’s brother Alex is another well-known non-league keeper. Ciaran will provide cover for the Port’s veteran keepers Gary Streeter and Joe McCormack.
A win for Newport would see them return to the top of the Division 1 table. The Port have won all 6 games played at Smallbrook in the season so far, but co-manager Stewart Shepherd is not anticipating an easy victory for the Island side.
Kick off at Smallbrook is at 14:00. A minibus will leave St George’s Park, Newport, at 13:00 (cost £5) for the return journey.
In the other Wessex League Division 1 game this Saturday, 13th-placed East Cowes Vics travel to Southampton to face 12th-placed Millbrook.
Vics are on a run of good form, having cruised to victory on the previous 2 Saturdays against Petersfield and Totton & Eling. But beating the Division 1 newcomers will be no easy task for Vics considering Millbrook beat Newport 5-2 earlier in the season.
In the Wessex Premier, 15th-placed Cowes Sports take on 11th-placed Alresford Town at Westwood Park.
The Yachtsmen have shown inconsistent form of late, having lost their last 2 games against Blackfield & Langley and Stoneham. Alresford are on a run of good form at present, having won all their last 5 games.
In Island League Division 1, leaders Shanklin play 10th-placed Vectis at Cowes Enterprise College. 2nd-placed Whitecroft & Barton Sports, who have won all their 11 games this season without conceding a goal, take on 4th-placed Cowes Sports Reserves at fortress Sandy Lane.
The big game in Division 2 is the Newport derby at Clatterford Road Rec, where 5th-placed Carisbrooke United play leaders Pan.
Reports on the Wessex League games will appear as usual on Island Echo on Sunday, with a round-up of Island League games on Monday.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 27th November 2021:
All Fixtures to kick-off at 15:00 unless otherwise shown
Premier Division: Cowes Sports v Alresford Town
Division 1: Millbrook v East Cowes Vics; Newport IoW v Bemerton Heath Harlequins (14.00)
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 27th November 2021
All Fixtures to kick-off at 14:00
HFA Vase 3rd Round: Shanklin Reserves v Brading Town Reserves
The Memorial Cup Sponsored by Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialists 1st Round: East Cowes Vics Reserves v Seaview
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Bembridge v West Wight; Brading Town v Sandown & Lake; Niton Community v Binstead & COB; Oakfield v Ryde Saints; Vectis v Shanklin; Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Cowes Sports Reserves; No Fixture: Northwood St Johns
Division 2: AFC Wootton v Ventnor; Carisbrooke United v Pan Community; Newport Reserves v High Park; Osborne Coburg v Newchurch; Wroxall v Adgestone; Yarmouth & Calbourne v East Cowes Sports
Combination Division 1: Northwood St Johns v Bembridge; Ryde Saints v Whitecroft & Barton Sports; Sandown & Lake v Binstead & COB; West Wight v Oakfield; No Fixture: Osborne Coburg
Combination Division 2: Bembridge ‘A’ v Yarmouth & Calbourne; East Cowes Sports v Newchurch; Pan Community v AFC Wootton; Vectis v Niton Community; Ventnor v Carisbrooke United
Isle of Wight fixtures courtesy of IoW DFA
