In the only game to be played midweek, Wessex Premier League Cowes were knocked out of the 1st round of the Russell-Cotes Cup by Hampshire League Clanfield.
The Yachtsmen took a young, experimental side to Westleigh Park to face opponents 2 steps below them in the league pyramid. The Island side began poorly, trailing by 2 goals at the half time break.
Straight after the interval, the Island side conceded a 3rd goal. However, their Hampshire opponents were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute after 1 of their players was given a red card.
The Yachtsmen pulled a goal back in the 61st minute through captain Ollie West. Scott McFarlane scored 7 minutes from full time to reduce the deficit to a single goal, but Clanfield held out to advance to the 2nd round.
Full time: Clanfield 3-2 Cowes Sports
This Saturday, the Yachtsmen face Bournemouth at Westwood Park in the Wessex Premier. The Poppies began the season well but have subsequently fallen to 10th place after a run of 7 winless games. Cowes are currently 16th in the table.
The Yachtsmen now know their opponents in the 2nd round of the FA Vase on 12th November when they travel to face Wessex Division 1 New Milton Town.
In Wessex Division 1, 5th-placed Newport welcome 12th-placed Ringwood Town to Smallbrook.
The Port are currently on a run of 7 successive league victories; Ringwood Town have won their last 2 games having previously lost 3 on the trot. Last year, the Port managed the double over Ringwood by a margin of 3-0 at home and 1-3 away.
Also in Wessex Division 1, 3rd-from-bottom East Cowes Vics travel to face 2nd place Downton in Wiltshire.
Draw specialists Vics will be attempting to win only their 2nd game in the season to date. Downton secured a comprehensive 6-1 victory at home to Romsey Town in their last game; Vics drew 0-0 against Folland Sports at Beatrice Avenue in their last fixture.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 29th October
Premier Division
Cowes Sports v Bournemouth (15:00)
Division One
Downton v East Cowes Victoria (14:30)
Newport (IoW) v Ringwood Town (15:00)
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 29th October
Division 1
Bembridge v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Binstead & COB v Cowes Sports Reserves
Brading Town v ECS
Pan Community v Ryde Saints
Sandown & Lake v Northwood St Johns
Shanklin v Vectis
West Wight v Oakfield
Division 2
AFC Wootton v Osborne Coburg
East Cowes Vics Reserves v Carisbrooke United
Newchurch v High Park
Niton Community v Seaview
Ventnor v Yarmouth & Calbourne
Combination 1
ECS v Shanklin
Northwood St Johns v Brading Town
Oakfield v Binstead & COB
Vectis v Bembridge
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Sandown & Lake
No Fixture: West Wight
Combination 2
Bembridge ‘A’ v Niton Community
Osborne Coburg v Ryde Saints
No Fixture: AFC Wootton; Newchurch; Pan Community; Ventnor
Fixtures courtesy of IOW DFA
