UPDATE (14:30): The Cowes Sports v Moneyfields game has been called off as part of the pitch at Westwood Park is frozen. UPDATE (19:00): Millbrook v Newport has also been called off despite having passed a pitch inspection this afternoon. Cowes Sports are to play probably the strongest Wessex Premier side – Moneyfields – at Westwood Park this evening (Tuesday). The game was to have been played at Portchester’s On Site Group Stadium. However, Moneyfields’ groundshare agreement with host club AFC Portchester fell through after they allegedly made an illegal approach to sign a Portchester player. The fixture has therefore been reversed to Cowes Sports’ Westwood Park home. Moneys are currently groundless as their John Jenkins Stadium is being redeveloped. The Portsmouth-based side will prove difficult opponents as they have chalked up 14 successive league victories since being beaten by Stoneham back in August. Moneys were trounced 6-1 in the Wessex League Cup by the Yachtsmen at Westwood Park back in November. However, they had travelled to the Island without many of their 1st team squad. Cowes Sports have been in consistently good form over recent months, having gone 9 games unbeaten since losing to Brixham in the FA Vase back in November. Either a win or a draw will see the Yachtsmen advance to the playoff positions. Manager Max Draper says of the game:
“Moneyfields will be one of the stiffest tests. Their management have built a cracking side full of threat and tenacity. “A few of our lads representing the island last year said how impressive they were when they played them, and they have shown that they have carried that into the league this season. With several games in hand, they will be right in the mix for the top spot. “For us, it is all about playing to our strengths and respecting what they do. Find a way, problem solve and see where we are at the end. The lads are coming off a good performance at Baffins on a very heavy pitch, so first things first, we recover and prepare. “We look forward to welcoming them to Westwood. Fingers crossed we have another great crowd cheering us on.”
Kick-off at Westwood Park will be at 19:45. In Wessex Division 1, 17th-placed Newport travel to Southampton to face 3rd-placed Millbrook. Kick-off is at the earlier time of 19:30.
