Cowes Sports and Newport IW have home ties in the Wessex League on opposite banks of the Medina today.
At the Zilch Waste Stadium (Westwood Park), 11th-placed Cowes Sports face 12th-placed Laverstock and Ford for the 4th time this season. The 2 sides have already faced off in the FA Cup, with the Wiltshire side winning 1-3 on the Island after a 1-1 draw in Wiltshire.
The Yachtsmen won the corresponding Wessex League fixture 2-5 on the mainland.
Cowes Sports have been in good form over the Christmas period, with 2 wins and 2 draws in their 4 games in ~December and January.
Co-manager Ian Potts says of his side’s prospects:
“This is the 4th time we have played Laverstock and Ford FC this season, with a mixed bag of results. They are very close to us on the league; they will be a stern test, who have also been on a good run of form late like us.
“There’s a good atmosphere around the squad and the club at the moment, and everyone is positive and looking forward to the 2nd half of the season and hopefully pushing on.
In Wessex Division 1, 8th-placed Newport will hoping to reignite their push towards the playoff places when they take on bottom club Ash United at Beatrice Avenue.
Newport are without a win in 4 games and are now 8 points behind Hamworthy United in the 4th playoff place.
Co-manager Joe Butcher says of his side’s chances:
“It was obviously a disappointing result last week (losing 2-1 at Hamworthy United), but we performed well against a decent side.
“Ash hadn’t lost in 3 before the break but we’ll prepare for the game like any other
“Our initial goal this season was only ever to build upon the foundation laid last season, not targeting promotion. I think we are ahead of schedule in that regard, but the next 6 games will decide whether we will be in contention or not for the playoffs.”
Also, in Wessex Division 1, 4th-placed East Cowes Victoria travel to 12th-placed Romsey Town.
Vics are currently on a run of 4 straight wins since losing to Fleetlands in mid-December. The Victorians won the corresponding fixture 7-0 earlier in the season.
Any supporters wishing to make the journey to Romsey should travel on the 12:05 Ret Jet from Cowes.
Wessex League football fixtures for Saturday 18th January
Wessex Premier
Cowes Sports v Laverstock & Ford
Wessex Division 1
Newport IW v Ash United
Romsey Town v East Cowes Victoria
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 18th January
HFA Trophy
Hook v W&B Sports
Stockbridge v Vectis
HFA Vase
Brading Town Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves
Harwoods Division 1
Bembridge v Cowes Sports Reserves
Binstead & COB v Ventnor
Northwood SJ v Osborne Coburg
Shanklin v Brading Town
Division 2
Newchurch v High Park
Oakfield v Newport
Pan Community v Sandown & Lake
Combination 1
Bembridge Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
High Park Reserves v Ventnor Reserves
West Wight Reserves v East Cowes Sports Reserves
W&B Sports Reserves v Northwood SJ Reserves
Combination 2
Ryde Saints Reserves v Newchurch Reserves
Sandown & Lake A v West Wight A
Vectis Reserves v Osborne Coburg A
Niton Community Reserves v High Park A