In the only Wessex League fixture to be played on the Isle of Wight today, 2nd-place East Cowes Victoria take on 3rd-place Alresford Town at Beatrice Avenue.
Vics occupied top spot in Division 1 after beating Fawley last Saturday; however, Frimley Green’s 0-4 win over Aldermaston on Wednesday evening saw the East Cowes side drop to 2nd place in the table.
Vics have the best points-per-game average in the division and 2 games in hand over the only side above them in the table.
The Victorians are in excellent form, unbeaten in 7 games; Saturday’s opponents Alresford are unbeaten in 5 games.
Manager Alex Smith says of his side’s chances against Alresford:
“These are the kind of games where we really find out where we’re at, and we’re looking forward to the test.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, 6th-placed Newport travel to Surrey to face leaders Frimley Green.
Last Saturday, Newport comprehensively beat Verwood Town at Beatrice Avenue, the side that had knocked them out of the FA Vase 2 weeks previously.
When asked about the reason for the difference between the 2 results against Verwood, co-manager Joe Butcher said:
“We were much more clinical with our chances, and we didn’t give anything to Verwood defensively. The Vase tie was a bit of a smash and grab from them; they virtually had one shot, and it was a penalty.
“We’ve changed shape to a 3-5-2 in the last two games as well and that seems to be working well for us.”
Joe says of his sides chances against the league leaders:
“We will be going to Frimley and wanting to get a result. They are obviously a good side, I’ve watched some footage of them, and it’ll be a tough game, but if we can get a positive result out of this game and Cove next week, we’ll be in a very good spot in the league with games in hand to play.”
In the Wessex Premier, the new management team of Ian Potts and Mark Woodhouse will be seeking a 3rd successive victory for Cowes Sports when they travel to 16th-placed Christchurch – the side 1 place above in the league table.
Co-manager Ian Potts says of the fixture:
“It will be a very tough game. Christchurch are good on the ball and will cause us a number of threats.
“We will go there with the intent to continue our run of form and in search of more much needed points.
“Special mention to goalkeeper Ed Hatt, who’s on course for his 500th game for the club.
“He’s a brilliant goalkeeper and great lad, who I signed with Richard Woodburn 12 years ago.”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 12th September
Wessex Premier
Christchurch v Cowes Sports
Division 1
East Cowes Victoria v Alresford Town
Frimley Green v Newport IW
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 12th September
Gold Cup
Northwood SJ v Osborne Coburg (13:00)
Challenge Cup
W&B Sports v Binstead & COB
Division 1
Brading Town v Vectis
Cowes Sports Reserves v Shanklin
Division 2
Newport Reserves v ECS
Oakfield v High Park
Ryde Saints v Pan
Sandown & Lake v Seaview
Combination 1
Bembridge Reserves v Brading Town Reserves
Binstead & COB Reserves v ECS Reserves
Shanklin Reserves v Osborne Coburg Reserves
Ventnor Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves
Northwood SJ Reserves v W & B Sports Reserves (15:30)
Combination 2
Niton Reserves v Newchurch Reserves
Osborne Coburg A v Bembridge A
Ventnor A v Vectis Reserves
West Wight A v Sandown & Lake A
