Can East Cowes Victoria reach the 3rd round of the FA Vase for the first time in their history this afternoon (Saturday)?
Vics travel to Gloucestershire to take on Hellenic Premier leaders Hartpury University.
Manager Alex Smith is “very positive” about his team’s chances of being in the draw for the next round, saying:
“We’ve had a great week of training and preparation we’re ready for a big performance.”
Last Saturday, Vics were unable to complete their fixture at Cove due to a breakdown on their way to the game.
When asked whether a 2-week break might affect Vics’ performance, Alex said:
“It’s neither here nor there. It was obviously frustrating not to get the Cove game played but also gave the boys some time to recover.
“Hartpury didn’t play either, so let’s see how it pans out.”
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Smith says there will be 4 absences from his squad:
“Josh (Neale) will serve the final game of his farcical suspension. We’ll also be without Zak Sullivan, Adam Voller and Morgan Perrin all through injury.”
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports take on bottom club United Services Portsmouth at the Zilch Waste Stadium (Westwood Park).
Co-manager Ian Potts says:
“We are expecting a really tough game. The league is hugely competitive this year, and things change around quickly. USP will be coming here desperate for points and that’s always going to pose a threat.
“We don’t take any game for granted. We have worked hard in training again this week to build on recent results.
“Although we were on the wrong end of the result last week, we take huge positives from the game, and we will look to take that positivity into the weekend.
“We hope to get a big crowd in to support the lads and we welcome all service men and women for free this weekend to show our gratitude.”
In Wessex Division 1, Newport IW travel to North Hampshire to face Whitchurch United.
A win could see 6th-placed Port reach the playoff positions if other results go their way.
Co-manager Joe Butcher says:
“I’m expecting another tough game. Whitchurch had a poor result last week and will probably be wanting a reaction to that
“They also don’t seem to concede loads of goals. When they lose, it’s normally by the odd goal
“And Whitchurch away has always been a hard place to go.”
Wessex League fixtures for 9th November
FA Vase 2nd round
Hartpury University v East Cowes Vics
Wessex Premier
Cowes Sports v United Services Portsmouth
Division 1
Whitchurch United v Newport IW
Isle of Wight football fixtures for 9th November
HFA Vase
Eversley & California v Newchurch
West Wight Reserves v West Wight A
Harwoods Division 1
Bembridge v Ventnor
Brading Town v Binstead & COB
W&B Sports v Shanklin
Vectis v Osborne Coburg (14:30)
Division 2
Niton Community v High Park
Pan Community v East Cowes Sports
Ryde Saints v Newport Reserves
Seaview v Sandown & Lake
Combination 1
Binstead & COB Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
High Park Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves
Northwood SJ Reserves v W & B Sports Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves v East Cowes Sports Reserves
Ventnor Reserves v Brading Town Reserves
Combination 2
Bembridge A v Niton Community Reserves
High Park A v Vectis Reserves
Sandown & Lake A v Newchurch Reserves
Ventnor A v Oakfield Reserves
