Cowes Sports entertain 12th-placed Shaftesbury today (Saturday) knowing that a win is likely to be sufficient to ensure Wessex Premier football at Westwood Park next season.
The Yachtsmen are currently 3 places and 5 points above 2nd-from-bottom Pagham, who they beat last Saturday.
Assistant Cowes Sports manager Andy Brown says:
“The lads put in a good second-half performance last week, with a clean sheet and an away win against Pagham. We now need to take that quality and fighting spirit again into Saturday.
“We picked up an away point vs Shaftesbury, who at the time were flying high. They have subsequently made a few changes since, with a new manager and now sitting mid-table.
“We must aim to collect all 3 points and make our position safe in the premier league.”
Wessex Premier table below:
In Wessex Division 1, Newport – who are already assured a place in the promotion playoffs – make their 2nd trip to North Hampshire in 3 days to play league leaders Andover New Street.
On Thursday evening, the Port comfortably beat Andover Town 1-4. Can they do the double against both Andover teams on their own turf? The Port trounced New Street 4-0 in the corresponding game at Smallbrook Stadium. The Island side also took all 3 points at Foxcotte Park last season.
Victory is vital for the County Town club if they hope to take the title and single automatic promotion place; defeat would guarantee Andover New Street top spot.
Newport have 3 games remaining and need to collect all 9 points from these games and hope Andover New Street fail to beat East Cowes Vics at home next Saturday and Totton & Eling away the following Tuesday.
The Port’s final 2 fixtures are Whitchurch United (home) on Tuesday, followed by Fleetlands away next Saturday.
Also in Division 1, East Cowes Vics – who have already secured their Wessex Division 1 status – travel to Dorset to face 4th-placed Hamworthy Recreation.
Vics – under new manager Alex Smith – have a strong record against the top clubs in the division. Last Saturday, they drew 1-1 with promotion contenders Newport. In previous games they have beaten 2 other clubs in the play off places: New Milton Town and Petersfield Town.
Can Vics pull off another good result against another top side? Alex aims to see his club finish as high in the table as possible in his 1st season in charge.
Wessex Division 1 table below:
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 15th April
Kick off 15:00
Premier Division
Cowes Sports v Shaftesbury
Division One
Andover New Street v Newport IOW
Hamworthy Recreation v East Cowes Vics
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 15th April
Kick off at 14:00.
Division 1
Bembridge v Sandown & Lake
Pan Community v Shanklin
Ryde Saints v Brading Town
West Wight v ECS
Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Northwood St Johns
Division 2
AFC Wootton v Ventnor
Niton Community v High Park
Combination 1
Bembridge v West Wight
Brading Town v Shanklin
ECS v Vectis
Northwood St Johns v Binstead & COB
Sandown & Lake v Whitecroft & Barton Sports
All fixtures courtesy of IOW DFA
