Cowes Sports begin their FA Vase campaign today (Saturday) with a trip to Dorset to play Bournemouth Poppies in the First Round Qualifying. The 2 remaining Isle of Wight Wessex League clubs – Newport and East Cowes Vics – enter the competition in the 2nd round in September. On Tuesday, Cowes Sports reached the next round of the Hampshire Cup with a comfortable victory over Division 1 side Romsey Town. Manager Max Draper says of his team’s chances against a physical Bournemouth side:
“It will be a tough game Saturday as always. It’s not an easy place to go at all. They always make it difficult and are a physical, direct side. “We will go into the game in a better place after another 90 in the legs Tuesday and a good session Thursday. The fitness we have been missing is starting to come through, which will only benefit us going forward. “Let’s hope we take the confidence from Tuesday and can follow it up.”
In Wessex Division 1, unbeaten Newport – currently 5th in the table – face a difficult journey to North Hampshire to face the team 1 place below in the league table: Cove. Co-manager Joe Butcher says of his side’s prospects:
“Another tough game. We’ve prepared for it all week, and we’ll be going there with the aim of getting a result. “We’ve had a positive start to the season, and we want to continue that.”
Also in Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics take on 9th-placed Amesbury Town at Beatrice Avenue. On Wednesday, Vics comfortably beat Folland Sports in the Hampshire cup. Manager Alex Smith said of the win:
“The first half performance was obviously very pleasing, although I was disappointed with the goal we conceded. To score a goal after 16 passes, including a number of components we’ve worked hard on at training, was particularly pleasing. “There were a number of individuals out there who put in solid performances. Jordan Chapman was wonderful; Charlie Hart had a great first half; I was delighted for Jayden Yates to get his first start and repay us with not only an outstanding piece of individual brilliance for the goal but a good all-round performance too. “Naturally, having scored four first half goals, we nullified things a little in the second half and took the sting out of the game.”
Alex says of his sides chances against Amesbury:
“Having done incredibly well to get back into the league, Amesbury have started very well with 2 wins out of 3. “They’ll be a tough opposition, and we’ll need to be tighter defensively than we were against Follands if we want all 3 points.”
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Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 24th August
FA Vase: Bournemouth (Poppies) v Cowes Sports Wessex Division 1: Cove v Newport IW East Cowes Victoria v Amesbury Town
Isle of Wight fixtures for Saturday 24th August
Division 1 Binstead & COB v Bembridge Cowes Sports Reserves v Osborne Coburg Shanklin v Northwood SJ Vectis v West Wight (Senior Cup) Ventnor v Brading Town Combination 1 Bembridge Reserves v Northwood SJ Reserves Brading Town Reserves v Binstead & COB Reserves ECS Reserves v Osborne Coburg Reserves Ventnor Reserves v High Park Reserves West Wight Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves
