Wessex League Division 1 sees the battle between 1st and 2nd at Smallbrook, as 2nd-placed Newport face league leaders New Milton Town on Saturday afternoon.
If Port win, they will steal top spot from the side currently heading the Division 1 table. Only 1 team is assured of promotion to the Wessex Premier this season.
Newport’s comprehensive 0-4 victory at Ringwood Town saw the Island side briefly lead the table on Tuesday evening. However, following New Milton’s 2-5 win away to Millbrook, the New Forest side regained their position at the top of the league the very next day.
The Port have been on a run of impressive form of late with 6 successive victories in December and January. The County Town club’s defence appears rock solid, having only conceded a single goal in their last 8 games.
Wessex Division 1 (top) below:
Also in Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics will be looking for a 3rd successive win away to 8th-placed Folland Sports.
Victory could see the East Cowes side rise above the relegation places to 16th in the table if other results go their way.
When asked whether Vics could win their 3rd game on the bounce, manager Alex Smith told Island Echo:
“We can absolutely win the game, but we’ll have to be at our very best. Follands are a great side but their record shows they’re vulnerable too, with no win in their last 5 and only 2 wins in their last 11.
“We’re on a little run. On one hand, I’m exceptionally proud of the players for their performances and how much we’ve improved so far, but on the other, we’ve done nothing yet and have a long way to go.”
Wessex Division 1 (bottom) below:
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports entertain 13th-placed Brockenhurst at Westwood Park.
The Badgers have been on a run of poor form of late failing to win in their last 4 attempts.
Will the Yachtsmen – who are just 1 point above the relegation zone – take 3 points from the game with their 1st home win since October of last year?
Assistant manager Andy Brown has said:
“Our good 3-0 win Saturday vs Bournemouth had been coming, especially with the squad working hard on fitness, formation and fighting spirit. On Tuesday, the lads also put in a performance versus Hythe & Dibben; however, we lacked finishing, not taking our chances, plus focus at 2 set pieces, losing a game which we deserved something from.
“We all know this has to change and quickly to get points on the board. This Saturday, we play Brockenhurst, whose form has been inconsistent. Although they are sitting comfortably mid-table, and we lost to them earlier in season 3-0, they are a team we are looking to get a home win against and 3 massive points.”
Wessex Premier (bottom) below:
3 Isle of Wight teams will be attempting to battle their way through to the semi-finals of the Hampshire cups.
In the Hampshire Trophy, W&B face Yateley United – who are unbeaten and currently top the Thames Valley Premier League – at Sandy Lane. Northwood St Johns take on Suburban League Premier Division outfit Hartley Wintney U23.
In the Hampshire Vase, Isle of Wight Division 2 leaders Ventnor play Bisterne United Reserves.
In Harwoods Renault Division 1, Shanklin can open a 6-point gap between themselves and Whitecroft & Barton if they beat Binstead at the Molehill.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 4th February
Premier Division
Cowes Sports v Brockenhurst
Division One
Folland Sports v East Cowes Victoria
Newport (IoW) v New Milton Town
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 4th February
Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy: Quarter Final
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Yateley United
Northwood St Johns 1st v Hartley Wintney U23
Hampshire FA Saturday Vase: Quarter Final
Ventnor v Bisterne United Reserves
The Ken Morris Isle of Wight Junior ‘A’ Cup – 2nd Round
AFC Wootton v Osborne Coburg
Brading Town Reserves v West Wight Reserves
East Cowes Vics Reserves v Bembridge Reserves
High Park v Yarmouth & Calbourne
Niton Community v Binstead & COB Reserves
Shanklin Reserves v Ventnor
Vectis Reserves v Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves
Harwoods Renault Division 1
Binstead & COB v Shanklin
ECS v Cowes Sports Reserves
Sandown & Lake v Brading Town
Vectis v Oakfield
West Wight v Pan Community
Harwoods Renault Division 2
Carisbrooke United v Seaview
Harwoods Renault Combination 2
Bembridge ‘A’ v Ryde Saints
Newchurch v Osborne Coburg
Pan Community v Niton Community
