Both Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics will be hoping to reignite their campaigns to achieve playoff spots in their respective divisions today (Saturday). In the Wessex Premier, 8th-placed Cowes Sports – who are 4 points behind 5th-placed Brockenhurst but have a game in hand – take on 12th-placed Andover New Street at Westwood Park. Last week, the Yachtsmen were well beaten by Wessex Premier leaders Moneyfields. However, they bounced back midweek with a comprehensive victory against an under-strength W&B side in the Gold Cup. Manager Max Draper is looking for his side to return to their mid-season form when they had a 9-game unbeaten run in the business end of the season. His side are close to being back to full strength after the absence of some key players. Max says:
“We are still striving to find that consistency from mid season again but have had a good week reflecting on the season so far. We go into the game welcoming some players back from injury and unavailability, with Connor Kelly, Liam Triggs, Ollie West and Ewan Cranwell back in the squad for tomorrow. “At this time of the season it’s about getting the squad fit and healthy again and keeping them that way for the run in. With 30 points to play for in a short space of time, there will be plenty of moment still in the table.”
In Wessex Division 1, 5th placed Vics face a tough game against 4th-placed Alresford Town. The 2 teams drew the last month’s corresponding fixture 1-1 at Beatrice Avenue. Vics suffered an unfortunate loss away to Folland Sports midweek. Manager Alex Smith says of Wednesday’s defeat:
“The result at Follands was very disappointing, but there were lots of good things about the performance and we’re not ones for jumping to conclusions because of one tough evening. “We had a lot of very positive possession and worked hard to break down a resilient Follands side, creating enough chances to ordinarily win the game. Unfortunately, on the night, we couldn’t quite make those chances count. “Some moments of sloppy defending and perhaps a lack of defensive focus after having the ball for such long periods ultimately cost us, and Follands took their chances clinically.”
However, Alex remains upbeat about his side’s chances against Alresford on Saturday and for the remainder of the season, saying:
“Alresford will be a very different challenge, and we’ll be looking to get back on track. “With so many games being played in these final 2 months, there’ll be plenty more ups and downs to come. “We’ll ride it all out and try not to get too high or too low; we still have 33 points to play for after all.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, in form Newport – unbeaten in 4 games – take on 10th-placed Romsey Town at Beatrice Avenue. A win could see the the Port rise from 16th place to as high as 12th if other results go their way. Midweek, Newport drew away at Ringwood Town before comprehensively beating Andover Town 3-0 at Beatrice Avenue.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 16th March
Premier Cowes Sports v Andover New Street Division 1 Alresford v East Cowes Vics Newport IW v Romsey Town
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 16th March
Kick off at 14:00 unless otherwise shown Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup Binstead & COB v Shanklin Memorial Cup Ventnor v Bembridge (13:30) Junior A Brading Town Reserves v Osborne Coburg Reserves Junior B Bembridge A v West Wight A Division 1 High Park v West Wight Division 2 Newport v NewchurchOsborne Coburg v Ryde SaintsSandown & Lake v Seaview Combination 1 ECS Reserves v Vectis ReservesNorthwood SJ Reserves v Sandown & Lake ReservesShanklin Reserves v West Wight ReservesW & B Sports Reserves v Bembridge ReservesVentnor Reserves v Binstead & COB Reserves (15:30)Combination 2 Newchurch Reserves v Ventnor ASeaview Reserves v AFC Wootton Reserves
