Free-scoring Newport IW FC will attempt to extend their lead at the top of Wessex League 1 when they host 4th-placed New Milton Town at Smallbrook Stadium this Saturday.
The Port have certainly been entertaining this season with the promotion contenders having scored 28 goals in just 7 games, netting an average of 4 goals a game.
Newport’s last match was a 9-goal thriller at Verwood Town in Dorset, which the Islanders won 4-5. The Port’s victory was described by co-manager, Stewart Shepherd, who said:
“Going to Verwood is never an easy place to go. They’re a team that make it hard for you to play as they did on Saturday for the first 20 minutes when we found ourselves 0-2 down. But we suddenly settled down and within 8 minutes we were 3-2 up, which was a great response from the team. The Verwood front players were lively all game, and the next thing we were 3-3, but eventually we came out on top winning 5-4.
“In this league any team can beat anyone on their day. The team showed that if things don’t go our way, we can turn it around, but you can’t always get out of these situations. We now move onto the next game at home to New Milton, who also have had a good start to their season, so this should be another entertaining match.”
East Cowes Vics have a difficult game in Salisbury against much-fancied Bemerton Heath Harlequins, who are currently 3rd in Wessex League 1.
Saturday is the start of the prestigious FA Vase competition for teams in steps 5 and 6 in the non-league pyramid. High-flying Cowes Sports, currently 2nd in the Wessex Premier, face Bournemouth. The Yachtsmen last played Bournemouth at home a fortnight ago, winning the game comfortably 5-1. A win for Cowes would see them face East Cowes Vics at Westwood Park in the 2nd round on September 25th.
In Island League Division 1, leaders Bembridge face Hampshire Intermediate Cup winners, Brading Town, at Steyne Park. 2nd placed Shanklin are away to 5th placed Binstead. The only team left with a 100% record in the top 2 divisions, champions W&B, are at home to 10th placed Ryde Saints.
In Island League Division 2, leaders ECS play 9th placed Ventnor at Watcombe Bottom. 2nd-placed Pan face bottom-of-the-table Wroxall at Downside. The Division 2 game-of-the-day is the meeting between 3rd-placed Wootton and 4th placed newcomers High Park at Wootton Rec.
Fixtures for Saturday 11th September 2021
All fixtures involving Wessex League teams to kick off at 15:00 unless otherwise shown
Buildbase F.A. Vase 1st Qualifying Round: Cowes Sports v Bournemouth
Wessex League Division One: Bemerton Heath Harlequins v East Cowes Vics (14.00); Newport IoW v New Milton Town
All Island League fixtures to kick off at 14.00 unless otherwise shown
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Bembridge v Brading Town (13.30); Binstead & COB v Shanklin; Sandown & Lake v Northwood St Johns; Vectis v Cowes Sports Reserves; West Wight v Niton Community; Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Ryde Saints (13.30); No Fixture: Oakfield
Division 2: AFC Wootton v High Park (13.30); Carisbrooke United v Seaview; East Cowes Vics Reserves v Newchurch; Newport Reserves v Yarmouth & Calbourne: Osborne Coburg v Adgestone (13.30); Pan Community v Wroxall; Ventnor v East Cowes Sports (13.30)
Combination Division 1: Bembridge v Brading Town (15.45); Northwood St Johns v Ryde Saints; Oakfield v Binstead & COB; Osborne Coburg v Sandown & Lake (15.45); Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Shanklin (15.45); No Fixture: West Wight
Combination Division 2: AFC Wootton v Bembridge (15.45); Newchurch v Niton Community; Ryde Saints ’A’ v Vectis; Ventnor v East Cowes Sports (15.45); Yarmouth & Calbourne v Carisbrooke United; No Fixture: Pan Community
Fixtures courtesy of the Isle of Wight DFA
Due to the Isle of Wight Festival, there will be no fixtures played on Saturday 18th September 2021.
