YACHTSMEN LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK FROM MIDWEEK DEFEAT: ISLE OF WIGHT SATURDAY FOOTBALL PREVIEW

In the Wessex Premier, 16th-placed Cowes will attempt to put their 0-4 midweek home defeat to Brockenhurst behind them when they take on 14th-placed US Portsmouth at Westwood Park.

Cowes Sports manager Max Draper has said:

“After Tuesdays efforts again Brockenhurst, it’s important we don’t get too downhearted. Pat (the Brockenhurst manager) has put together a strong, organised, and aggressive team, and they were clinical. We had our chances and sadly couldn’t match their intensity which is rare for us.
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“We head into Saturday with the right mindset knowing it’s a big game for us and is one we have looked at to help towards our goal for the season. Fingers crossed, we have a few faces back in the fold and we can put a good performance, one that’s a bit less leggy than we did Tuesday just gone. USP have had some good results themselves and sit close to us in the table, so it’s a game we have to be bang up for again.”

Please note that the Cowes v US Portsmouth game kicks off at the earlier time of 14.30.

In Wessex League 1, high-flying Newport, currently lying 2nd in Wessex League 1, face 16th placed Fawley at Smallbrook Stadium.

The County Town club are currently 4 points behind leaders Bemerton after drawing 1-1 at Folland Sports midweek but still have a game in hand over the Salisbury-based club. The Port have already scored 96 goals in the 27 games they have played in the season to date. Will they hit their century this Saturday?

A minibus (cost £5) will transport Newport-based supporters to Smallbrook. The minibus will be leaving the former ground of St George’s Park at 12.45.

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17th-placed East Cowes Vics, who currently lie 1 place above the Division 1 drop zone, face 17th-placed Fawley at Beatrice Avenue.

Vics have been bolstered by the transfer of goalkeeper Jamie Linington from Cowes Sports, to cover for the injured Alex Ram.

Vics manager Richie Woodburn has said:

“This is an important game indeed. We are still winless this year and a much-needed victory will keep us in touch with those teams directly above us. We secured a nerve jangling 3-4 at their place earlier in the season, so they will be looking to exact revenge and increase the distance between us.
“Established senior players like leading scorer Jimmi Burton, Harri Catania and Harrison Yates have all trained this week and are available for selection again after all suffering injury in recent weeks, which is a bonus. Thankfully, we have secured the services of Jamie Linington to deputise in goal for the injured Alex Ram this weekend. Many thanks to Cowes for helping resolve that transfer situation.
“The importance of this game is probably compounded by the withdrawal of Infinity this week from the league. All the sides around us beat Infinity and will therefore be deducted 3pts eventually, so the teams above us are closer than the current table indicates. 3pts this Saturday will put us in a much healthier position!”

Wessex League Fixtures for Saturday 12th February 2022

Premier Division Cowes Sports v U.S. Portsmouth (14.30)
Division 1: East Cowes Vics v Ash United (15:00), Newport IoW v Fawley AFC (13.45)

Isle of Wight Fixtures for Saturday 12th February 2022

All Fixtures to kick-off at 14:00 unless otherwise shown

Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1

Brading Town v Bembridge
Oakfield v Cowes Sports Reserves
Sandown & Lake v Ryde Saints
Shanklin v West Wight
Vectis v Northwood St Johns
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Niton Community
No Fixture: Binstead & COB

Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2

High Park v AFC Wootton
Newchurch v Adgestone#
Newport Reserves v Seaview
Osborne Coburg v East Cowes Sports
Pan Sports v Yarmouth & Calbourne
Wroxall v Ventnor

Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1

Bembridge v Osborne Coburg
Binstead & COB v Shanklin
Northwood St Johns v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
West Wight v Sandown & Lake
No Fixture: Brading Town

Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 2

AFC Wootton v Carisbrooke United
East Cowes Sports v Pan Community
Ventnor v Vectis
Yarmouth & Calbourne v Bembridge ‘A’
No Fixture: Newchurch

Fixtures Courtesy of Isle of Wight DFA. Correct as of 09:00 Friday 11th February.