In the only Wessex League game to be played on the Isle of Wight today, East Cowes Victoria face Whitchurch United ‘the Jam Boys’ at Beatrice Avenue.
Vics are currently top of Wessex League Division 1, having won 7 of their 8 games in the season to date; the Jam Boys are bottom after losing 6 of their 7 games.
Midweek, the Victorians comfortably overcame 5th-placed Romsey Town, scoring 7 goals without reply.
Manager Alex Smith said of his side’s emphatic victory:
“I thought we delivered a strong first half performance, which set the foundation. With that being said, we were still anticipating a tough second half. We did a terrific job of capitalising on the spaces left in behind in the latter stages of the game.
“Our energy levels were through the roof and that’s testament to both the strength in depth of the squad, as well as the quality of our preparation.”
Alex praised hat trick hero Josh Neale, commenting:
“Josh has been excellent since the day he signed, his levels of commitment and energy have always been there, and to now see him blossoming into a very well rounded forward is personally really pleasing.”
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Despite the massive points difference between the top and bottom club in the division, Alex is not anticipating an easy win on Saturday.
“Of course I’m delighted that we were able to win comprehensively on Tuesday, but Whitchurch will bring a stern test to the Island. They haven’t been beaten by more than 2 goals in a league game this season.
“The players are far from complacent. We understand how deep we have to dig every week to earn the results we need.
“Our biggest preventative measure against complacency is the competition for starting spots in the team. Every player knows they need to perform well to give themselves the best chance of staying in the side.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, 10th-placed Newport travel to Romsey Town, the side Vics saw off on Tuesday.
Port are hoping to join the chase for a playoff place by vanquishing the side 5 places above them in the table.
Joe Butcher – who was at Beatrice Avenue on Tuesday evening with fellow co-manager Martin McDonough – commented:
“I think it’ll be a tough game, I’d be very surprised if they played as badly as they did Tuesday night, for as good as Vics played, I think even Romsey’s management will say they had a very bad day at the office.
“It’s a big game for us, as they are 5th and 4 points above us, but we have two games in hand.
“If we can get a positive result, it keeps us in the hunt.”
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports travel to unbeaten AFC Stoneham still seeking their first win of the season.
Ian Potts – who has been given responsibility for the first team since the departure of Max Draper – says:
“Stoneham are one of the favourites for the league and have gone deep in the all the cups, but we will go there organised looking to get a result.”
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 28th September:
Wessex Premier
AFC Stoneham v Cowes Sports
Wessex Division 1
East Cowes Victoria v Whitchurch United
Romsey Town v Newport IW
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 28th September:
Harwoods Division 1
Shanklin v Osborne Coburg
Bembridge v Brading Town
Cowes Sports Reserves v W & B Sports
Vectis v Ventnor
Binstead & COB v West Wight
Division 2
High Park v Niton Community
Combination 1
East Cowes Sports Res v Brading Town Res
Osborne Coburg Res v Northwood SJ Res
Ventnor Res v W & B Sports Res
Combination 2
Niton Community Res v Vectis Res
Ventnor A v Osborne Coburg A
West Wight A v Ryde Saints Res
Sandown & Lake A v Bembridge A
Junior A Cup
Sandown & Lake v Oakfield
Ryde Saints v Newchurch
Seaview v Pan Community
Shanklin Res v High Park Res
Binstead & COB Res v West Wight Res
