Cowes Sports will be seeking a 3rd successive win against United Services Portsmouth at Westwood Park this evening (Tuesday).
With 9 league games left to play, the Isle of Wight’s sole representatives in the Wessex Premier lie 8 points above Bournemouth Poppies in the drop zone.
15th-placed US Portsmouth are currently 2 points and 1 place below 14th-placed Cowes. The Yachtsmen won the corresponding fixture 1-2 in Portsmouth through a late goal by Jez Conway.
On Saturday, Cowes Sports gained a creditable 3 points at Laverstock & Ford.
Assistant manager Andy Brown said of the game:
“We played well and did not enable them to get a foothold in the game. [Goalkeeper] Ed Hatt pulled off 2 great saves, and Scott McFarlane in midfield was outstanding. He bossed midfield, looked solid defensively plus dangerous on break.
“Laverstock were quiet on and surprisingly off the pitch. I think surprised by the way we played and pressed.”
Andy says of tonight’s game.
“A win would potentially put us safe with games to spare. We are missing a couple of key players, including John McKie (hamstring) and Ollie West (work). However, that’s been the case for a few months now.
“Playing twice a week it’s a big ask on the players and hence the need to have a good squad. An example was on Saturday when we had both Mark Taylor and Harrison Cantania missing from previous win against Blackfield & Langley.
“The lads are all playing well having won 3 in their last 5 games (5 in 9), showing good intensity, focus, fighting team spirit and delivering good patterns of play with finishing.
“US Portsmouth won’t be easy. However, we all want to keep the winning run going and show the spectators again the progress being made.”
Kick off at Westwood Park is at the later time of 20:00.
In the quarter final of the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup, Newport take on Isle of Wight Division 1 side Whitecroft & Barton Sports at Smallbrook.
The Port are the current Gold Cup holders; W&B have (surprisingly) never won the competition. The last time the cup was won by an Isle of Wight league side was back in 2001 when Oakfield lifted the trophy.
Newport met W&B in the final of the competition in 2019, winning 6-1.
In this year’s competition, Shanklin have already reached the semi-finals by beating Brading. In the remaining quarter final ties, Cowes Sports face Binstead & COB at Westwood Park and West Wight play East Cowes Vics.
Kick off at Smallbrook is at the earlier time of 19:30.
In Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics will be looking to return to winning ways on their trip to 16th-placed Romsey.
Romsey have been in good form of late, having won 3 of their last 4 games. On Saturday, the home side won 1-3 at Totton & Eling.
After going 7 games unbeaten at the start of the year, Vics have now lost 2 successive games, 1st to Fawley (3-0) on 22nd February, then to Downton (0-2) on Saturday.
Vics are currently 16th in Division 1, just 2 points and places above Ash United in the drop zone. Victory for Vics could see the East Cowes side rise to 15th in the Division 1 table.
Kick off at the AEC Protection Ground in Romsey is at the later time of 20:00.
Wessex League tables below:
