Cowes Sports – the only Isle of Wight Wessex League at home today (Saturday) – take on Andover New Street at the Zilch Waste Stadium at 15:00.
The Yachtsmen currently lie 16th in the Wessex Premier with their opponents in 8th spot.
Cowes put in an excellent performance midweek with a 1-2 victory on the road against Laverstock & Ford to reach the quarter finals of the Wessex League Cup. However, their league form has been less impressive, going down to 3 straight defeats.
Andover New Street have been in poor form, without a win this month.
The corresponding fixture in October resulted in a 4-1 win for the North Hampshire side.
Manager Mark Woodhouse says of the fixture:
“The lads were excellent Tuesday night and deserve great credit for the performance they put in. We have swiftly turned our attention to Saturday and to an Andover team we know will pose huge threats.
As a group, we are just excited for football to be back on again after all the postponements. The lads have had a good recovery session with RMA tonight and are looking forward to the game.”
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Also in the Wessex Premier, 14th-placed East Cowes Victoria travel to Somerset to face bottom club Wincanton.
Vics are winless in February; their opponents can be dangerous at home, having beaten high-flying Petersfield Town in the league and US Portsmouth in the Wessex League Cup this month.
The corresponding fixture in August saw Vics beat the Wasps 4-1.
In Wessex Division 1, 6th-placed Newport travel to 18th-placed Lymington Town.
Port’s comprehensive 4-0 victory over Blackfield & Langley midweek has seen the County Town club go within 3 points of the playoff positions. Newport are now 8 games undefeated in all competitions.
Port beat Lymington 2-1 in the corresponding fixture at the Zilch Waste Stadium in August. However, Lymington are unlikely to be ‘easy’ opponents – the New Forest side has won its last 2 home games against Alresford Town and Kintbury Rangers.
Manager Joe Butcher says:
“It’s never an easy game over there, and they have picked up their form of late, but we are on a great run and will want to continue that.”
However, Joe is not thinking of the playoff places just yet despite Port’s recent good form, adding:
“There’s still a complete mismatch of games played across the top 6, so it’s too early to tell. We just need to take it one game at a time and keeping putting points on the board.”
In Isle of Wight football, Ventnor have sadly withdrawn their first and reserve teams from the Isle of Wight Leagues.
Ventnor FC issued the following statement:
“Ventnor Football Club can confirm that, following careful consideration, the club took the difficult decision to withdraw its First Team and Reserve Team from Division One and Combination One for the remainder of the 2025 to 2026 season.
“This season has presented a number of challenges, including changes in leadership and ongoing difficulties with player availability. Despite sustained efforts from the committee and volunteers to fulfil fixtures and support the playing squads, it became clear that stepping back at this stage represents the most responsible decision in the interests of players, volunteers and the long term future of the club.
“This decision has been taken by the Football Club to allow time to regroup, strengthen structures and prepare positively for the 2026 to 2027 season.“Ventnor Youth FC activity will continue as normal, ensuring ongoing opportunities for young players within the community. The Watcombe facilities remain an important shared hub for local sport, with clubs continuing to work collaboratively to support community participation.
“Ventnor Football Club would like to thank its players, volunteers and supporters for their commitment throughout a challenging season and looks forward to rebuilding strongly ahead of next season.”
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 28th February
Memorial Cup Quarter Finals
Brading Town v Cowes Sports Reserves OFF
East Cowes Victoria Reserves v W&B OFF
Osborne Coburg v Bembridge & Vectis
West Wight v Binstead & COB
Junior A Quarter Finals
Niton v ECS
Sandown & Lake v Newport Reserves
Sandown & Lake Reserves v ECS Reserves
Junior B Quarter Final
West Wight A v Binstead & COB Reserves
Harwoods Division 1
High Park v Shanklin OFF
Division 2
Ryde Saints v Seaview
Combination 1
Oakfield Reserves v Shanklin Reserves
W&B Reserves v High Park Reserves
Combination 2
High Park A v Sandown & Lake A
Newchurch Reserves v Bembridge & Vectis A
Oakfield A v Ryde Saints Reserves
