In the only Wessex League game to be played on the Isle of Wight this Saturday, in form East Cowes Vics take on unbeaten Andover New Street at Beatrice Avenue.
Street are possibly the strongest side in Division 1 with a points-per-game average of 2.6, 0.19 higher than that of fellow promotion challengers Newport, who are on 2.41.
Vics have been on an impressive 5-game unbeaten run since losing to bottom club Fleet Spurs on 7th January, which has seen the East Cowes side rise above the 3 relegation spots.
Can Vics do neighbours Newport a favour by beating the side most likely to rob the County Town club of the single automatic promotion spot at the top of the table?
Vics manager Alex Smith says:
“Andover New Street are on a great run and have put a great side together. We’re looking forward to testing ourselves against the best team in the league. There’ll be fresh legs in the squad and more opportunities for players who have earned the chance to start.
“We’ll be without some first-team regulars due to various other commitments, so we’ll very much enjoy our role as the underdogs, doing everything we can to frustrate New Street and show what we can do against the top sides.”
Also in Division 1, promotion challengers, 2nd-placed Newport, travel to Verwood in Dorset.
The Port will be hoping to make up lost ground on league leaders New Milton Town, who won 0-1 at Smallbrook last Saturday.
12th-placed Verwood Town have been on a run of poor form in January having failed to win in their last 3 games. The Potters played midweek, drawing 2-2 at Ringwood Town.
The Port have been in excellent form of late, having won 6 of their last 7 games and only conceding twice in their last 10. On Tuesday, they bounced back from Saturday’s defeat by putting 7 past Fawley.
In the Wessex Premier, the Yachtsmen travel to 6th-placed Hamble.
Hamble have been inconsistent over recent games, having beaten US Portsmouth 6-2 midweek but losing 2-1 at Portland United in their previous game.
Cowes have also shown inconsistency themselves, beating Brockenhurst 2-0 last Saturday but losing 1-2 to Christchurch midweek.
Assistant manager Andy Brown says:
“It’s going to be a tough one. Hamble are a top 6 side, winning 6-2 Tuesday, so back on form and, in addition, also have a great home record.
“We are all disappointed not having carried our win from Saturday into Tuesday. We need to again eradicate conceding late in game (with just 2 turnovers), plus take our chances. We have a number of injuries, so need to manage the squad, especially with a 6-pointer on Tuesday away at Alresford.
Wessex League tables: Premier (left) and Division 1 (right) below:
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 11th February
All fixtures to kick off at 15:00
Premier Division
Hamble Club v Cowes Sports
Division One
East Cowes Victoria v Andover New Street
Verwood Town v Newport (IoW)
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 11th February
All Fixtures to Kick-Off at 14:00
Hampshire FA Saturday Vase Quarter-Final
Northwood St Johns Reserves v MOB Albion
The Ken Morris IOW Junior ‘A’ Cup 2nd Round
Oakfield Reserves v ECS Reserves
Shanklin Reserves v Ventnor
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Brading Town v Sandown & Lake
Cowes Sports Reserves v Northwood St Johns
Pan Community v Oakfield
Ryde Saints v ECS
Vectis v Shanklin
West Wight v Binstead & COB
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Bembridge
Division 2
AFC Wootton v Carisbrooke United
High Park v East Cowes Vics Reserves
Osborne Coburg v Seaview
Yarmouth & Calbourne v Newchurch
No Fixture: Niton Community
Combination Division 1
Bembridge v Brading Town
Sandown & Lake v West Wight
Vectis v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
No Fixture: Binstead & COB
Combination Division 2
Newchurch v Pan Community
Ryde Saints v Osborne Coburg
Ventnor v Niton Community
No Fixture: Bembridge ‘A’
Isle of Wight fixtures courtesy of IOW DFA
