VICS AND PORT JOSTLE FOR WESSEX DIVISION 1 PLAYOFF SPOTS

Newport will be hoping to stay in the frame for the playoff places when they take on the team 1 place above – Ringwood Town – at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon (Saturday).

Port are 6 points behind Fleetlands – who currently occupy the 4th playoff spot in Wessex Division 1 – with 3 games of their season remaining.

A win would see Newport retain a slim chance of reaching the playoffs when they face Vics in the Good Friday Derby on 18th April.

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Port have been in good form of late, with 2 successive wins: 4-1 against Hamworthy and 1-2 against Fawley last Saturday.

Co-manager Joe Butcher says of his side’s prospects.:

“It’s another hard game. They are directly above us in the league, but we have a game in hand. If we want to keep the pressure on both them and Fleetlands we have to win.
“The only teams Ringwood have lost to last 10 are Fleetlands and Whitchurch, who are much improved.
“I challenged the boys to win 5/5 before the Hamworthy game and we are 2/2, so we’ll be looking to win the game.
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“Last week’s win put us past last season’s points total – which was my target at the start of the year.
“Let’s see if we can finish the season strong and where we end up.”

East Cowes Victoria – who are already assured of a playoff spot – travel to Division 1 champions New Milton Town.

Vics will be cheered on by a coach load of supporters making the journey across the Solent.

The Victorians currently occupy the 3rd playoff spot. The teams in the 1st and 2nd playoff places have home advantage in the playoff semi finals.

Wessex Division 1 table (top 8) below – note Hamworthy United cannot be promoted this season.

In the Wessex Premier, 11th-placed Cowes Sports play their final home game of the season against 12th-placed Christchurch.

A win could see the Yachtsmen finally reach the top half of the table in their division.

However, injuries and unavailability may be an issue for Cowes, who were forced to give debuts to 3 teenagers – Oliver Flood, Fred Salter and Charlie Haward – in their last home game against champions Portchester.

Co-manager Ian Potts says of his side’s prospects:

“We have still got injuries, but slowly people are coming back. We have 3 games in a week which is tough.
“We would like to finish in the top half, but it’s hard. From when we took over to being where we are now is a massive achievement, so we are happy.”

In Isle of Wight fixtures, Whitecroft & Barton Sports replay their Memorial Cup semi final against High Park – a match abandoned last Saturday following a leg break to a High Park player.

In Harwoods Division 2, Oakfield will be promoted from Division 2 if they beat Newchurch at Slade Road this afternoon.