11th-placed Cowes Sports face 17th-placed Wincanton Town (from Somerset) at the Zilch Waste Stadium in the Wessex Premier this afternoon.
Last Saturday, the Yachtsmen had a memorable 0-2 victory away to FA Vase semi finalists Andover New Street.
Can Cowes manage back-to-back wins?
Co-manager Ian Potts says:
“The lads on Saturday were superb. They controlled the game from start to finish, scored 2 brilliant goals and put in a very impressive performance.
“I’d like to make a special mention about Jordan Browne, who made his 200th appearances for the club and took his goal very well.
“Moving on to Wincanton, they are another unknown quantity. We lost to them away earlier in the season, so we are looking to make amends
“They are a strong physical side, so we will do our homework on them, train hard and hopefully carry on our recent good run.
Article continues below this advertisement “It’s nice to be at home and not have any midweek games for the first time in over 5 weeks. We as a club are looking up the table now instead of down and also planning for next season. Hopefully, we can finish the season on a high.”
In Wessex Division 1, 8th-placed Newport – who still have an outside chance of making the playoffs – face 2nd-placed Frimley Green at Beatrice Avenue.
Port have recently made 3 new signings to strengthen their squad over the final 6 games, with midfielders Jack Barsdell and Seth Arnold donning the yellow shirts and Kian Brien coming up from the reserves.
Last Saturday, Port beat league leaders New Milton Town at their own ground. Can they now manage 3 successive victories?
Co-manager Joe Butcher says:
It’s another difficult game against Frimley. We drew up at their place 2-2, and it was a tough game.
“As always, we will fancy our chances at home and off the back of 2 wins. The same as Saturday, all the pressure is on them to get a result and it’s a free hit for us, so let’s see how we can perform.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, 4th-placed East Cowes Victoria travel to 16th-placed Ash United.
On Tuesday, Vics held 2nd-placed Alresford Town to a goalless draw away from home.
After the game, Vics manager Alex Smith said:
“We’ve got a very different match against Ash. The big question is how often can we find those intensity levels for the rest of the season? If we can reach those levels for every single game, we end up in a pretty good position.
“We can end the season strongly. But if we get a bit complacent, we’re going to find it tough. We have to go to the Ash game as if it’s a cup final, because that’s what these matches are for us.
“The teams above us are going to drop points. There are going to be opportunities and so we have to keep clawing away and get as high up the table as we can.”
Wessex Division 1 table (top 8) below:
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 22nd March
Wessex Premier
Cowes Sports v Wincanton Town
Division 1
Ash United v East Cowes Victoria
Newport IW v Frimley Green
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 22nd March
Junior A Cup
Oakfield v High Park
West Wight Reserves v W&B Sports Reserves
Junior B Cup
West Wight A v Ventnor A
Harwoods Division 1
Brading Town v Ventnor
Osborne Coburg v Cowes Sports Reserves
Vectis v Shanklin
W&B Sports v Binstead & COB
Division 2
Newchurch v Niton Community
Ryde Saints v Seaview
Sandown & Lake v East Cowes Sports
Combination 1
High Park Reserves v East Cowes Sports Reserves
Ventnor Reserves v Bembridge Reserves
Brading Town Reserves v Osborne Coburg Reserves
Combination 2
High Park A v Osborne Coburg A
Sandown & Lake A v Oakfield Reserves
Newchurch Reserves v Ryde Saints Reserves
