There is Wessex Premier League action at Beatrice Avenue and the Zilch Waste Stadium today (Saturday) after a fortnight’s break due to inclement weather.
In Mark Woodhouse’s first game as sole manager, 16th-placed Cowes face 6th-placed Portland United, who are on a 10 game unbeaten run in all competitions.
The Yachtsmen have been without a game since 25th November. They had a Gold Cup Quarter Final against Ventnor scheduled for Wednesday but their opponents were unable to raise a team.
Mark says of today’s game:
“I’m really excited and so are the lads to get back to it after a break due to the weather. It will be my first game in sole charge, and I’m sure it will be business as usual for the lads.
“We have had a great week of training, and the boys are keen to get back in front of our own fans with determination and commitment. We hope the Cowes community will turn out and get behind the lads, as we really value thier support.
“We hope to start picking up results but we know Portland we will be great test for us having beaten higher league opposition in midweek (Southern League Shaftesbury).”
Also, in the Wessex Premier, 13th-placed East Cowes Victoria take on 7th-placed Baffins Milton Rovers.
This is Vics’ first game since 25th November when they trounced Island League Osborne Coburg 13-0.
This will be an opportunity for the East Cowes side to take revenge on Baffins for their 0-3 victory at Beatrice Avenue in the Russell Cotes Cup back in October – their last defeat.
UPDATE (10:00) Blackfield & Langley v Newport IW is OFF (waterlogged pitch)
In Wessex Division 1, 10th-placed Newport will hope to reignite their push for promotion when they travel to face 2nd-from-bottom Blackfield & Langley.
The Watersiders are currently on an abysmal run of 9 straight losses. However, they will be hoping new manager Matt Maybury – who guided New Milton Town to promotion last season – can turn things around.
Port manager Joe Butcher says of his side’s prospects:
“I think them having a new manager and a lot of new players in obviously changes things from their previous side, but they haven’t had much time or games to get used to each other either.
“We have got a few players unavailable, but we’ll be going there to win. We’ve got 6 games in hand on some sides now, and we need to start improving our away form if we want to stay in the mix for the playoffs.”
In Isle of Wight football, 8 local teams remain in the Hampshire Vase competition.
Brading Town Reserves, High Park Reserves, Newport Reserves and West Wight A have been drawn at home against mainland sides, and East Cowes Vics Reserves and Sandown & Lake travel to North Island. There is one all Island game: East Cowes Sports against Ryde Saints.
Sadly, Whitecroft & Barton Sports – the Isle of Wight’s last representatives in the Hampshire Trophy – were knocked out of the competition in the 3rd round last Saturday, losing 4-5 on penalties to Whitehill & Bordon after drawing 2-2 over 90 minutes.
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 13th December
Hampshire Vase
Brading Town Reserves v Yateley United U23s
ECS v Ryde Saints
High Park Reserves v AW Jeffrey
Newport Reserves v Hythe Aztecs
West Wight A v Yateley United A
Wickham Dynamos v Sandown & Lake
Isle of Wight Challenge Cup Quarter Finals
Bembridge & Vectis v West Wight
High Park v W&B
Osborne Coburg v Brading Town
Shanklin v Cowes Sports Reserves
Harwoods Division 1
Oakfield v Northwood SJ
Division 2
Newchurch v Niton
Seaview v Pan
Combination 1
Sandown & Lake Reserves v Ventnor Reserves
West Wight Reserves v Bembridge & Vectis Reserves
W&B Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
Combination 2
Oakfield A v Ryde Saints Reserves
Sandown & Lake A v Bembridge & Vectis A
