Newport travel away to Salisbury to play Wessex Division 1 leaders Bemerton tomorrow (Saturday), in a game likely to decide the destination of the championship.
Newport currently lie in 4th place in Division 1, 4 points behind Bemerton but with a game in hand. Bemerton won the corresponding fixture at Smallbrook 1-3 back in November. Only 1 team is automatically promoted to the Wessex Premier this season, with teams finishing in positions 2 to 5 competing in the promotion play offs.
Newport expect to travel with a full squad and no injuries with defender Martin McDonough returning from suspension.
Bemerton manager Shaun Hale began his footballing career in the Isle of Wight, playing for both Newport and Whitecroft and Barton. Shaun says:
“Obviously, it’s a big game for both sides. The last game was a tricky one to judge anything by as the conditions were so bad, so although we came out 3-1 winners, Saturday could be a different game on more of a level playing field.
“A win for us would see us extend our lead at the top and a win for Newport would give them the chance to go above us if they win their game in hand. I’m expecting a tough game of course.”
In the other game to be played in Division 1, 16th-placed East Cowes Vics travel across the Solent to face 9th-placed New Milton.
Vics
manager Richie Woodburn says:
“New Milton are sat comfortably in midtable with only one defeat since narrowly beating us 1-2 at ours just before Christmas, and that was in their previous game against title challengers Follands. Hopefully, they will be licking their wounds, and we can take advantage like we nearly did at ours the week after their Vase exit. We will certainly need to be at our best to secure a positive result.
“Recent form has been encouraging and progressive, so we head into this fixture in competitive mood. Will Hunt deputises in goal. Sadly, skipper Liam Newbold and Harri Catania are still unavailable due to injury, plus Sam Cant is away on holiday.
“We are making room for 16-year-old Jake McNaney to join the senior squad for the first time after starring for the reserves recently. It’s great to give yet another promising young player his debut!”
In the Wessex Premier, 15th-placed Cowes Sports face their most difficult league game of the season to date against Wessex Premier leaders Hamworthy United at Westwood Park.
The Hammers have only lost 1 game in this season and currently have 4 points more than 2nd-placed Horndean. The Yachtsmen have been in good form over recent weeks after a poor start to the year, having won their last home game against US Portsmouth 3-1. Manager Max Draper says:
“After last weeks game was called off, we knew it was probably the best time to get a rest in. Fingers crossed the legs are in good shape and the lads are raring to go for a tough game.
“They’re on a great run in the league and vase so this is going to be one of, if not the toughest challenge of the season to date. We go into the game with a few changes as per every week of the season, so fingers crossed the lads involved step up.”
Wessex League Fixtures for Saturday 26th February 2022
Premier Division
Cowes Sports v Hamworthy United (15:00)
Division 1
Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Newport IoW (15:15)
New Milton Town v East Cowes Vics (15:00)
Isle of Wight Fixtures for Saturday 26th February 2022
All Fixtures to Kick-Off at 14:00
Isle of Wight 1st Irish Rifles Memorial Cup – Third Round
Sponsored by Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist
Bembridge v Pan Community
Shanklin v Oakfield
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Brading Town
The U.N.I.S.O.N. Isle of Wight Junior ‘B’ Cup – Second Round
AFC Wootton Reserves v Newchurch Reserves
Ventnor Reserves v Bembridge ‘A’
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Binstead & COB v Cowes Sports Reserves
Northwood St Johns v West Wight
Ryde Saints v Niton Community
Sandown & Lake v Vectis
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2
Adgestone v Newport Reserves
Carisbrooke United v Osborne Coburg
East Cowes Sports v AFC Wootton
East Cowes Vics Reserves v Ventnor
Newchurch v Wroxall
Yarmouth & Calbourne v High Park
No Fixture: Seaview
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1
Brading Town v Binstead & COB
Oakfield v Ryde Saints
West Wight v Osborne Coburg
No Fixture: Northwood St Johns; Bembridge; Sandown & Lake; Shanklin; Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 2
Vectis v Carisbrooke United
No Fixture: East Cowes Sports; Pan Community
Fixtures courtesy of Isle of Wight DFA
