The Isle of Wight’s two Wessex Premier representatives – Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics – both conclude their league campaigns today.
The Yachtsmen – who occupy 13th spot – take on 9th-placed Brockenhurst at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
Cowes are currently 3 points ahead of Vics in the league table but have an inferior goal difference. A point would be sufficient for the Yachtsmen to finish above their local rivals.
Cowes manager Mark Woodhouse says of today’s match:
“Finishing above Vics is not a priority for us. We will allow the squad players to get some exposure. It is an opportunity for us to see what people can do at this level.”
On Tuesday (21st April), the Yachtsmen have their biggest game for some years when they face Champions Stoneham in the semi final of the Wessex League Cup at Westwood Park.
14th-placed East Cowes Vics cross the Solent to face 11th-placed Petersfield Town.
Ahead of the game, the East Cowes club has said:
“Today sees the curtains close on our 2025/26 campaign, away at Petersfield. Everyone, including our coach load of supporters, is very excited for our last big day out.
“Thanks to those of you who are making the trip with us, the boys are looking forward to hearing you!
“Depending on tomorrow’s results, we could still finish between 13th-15th in our inaugural Wessex Premier season, so there’s still something to fight for – hopefully your support will push the boys on.”
In Wessex Division 1, 7th-placed Newport travel to 2nd-placed Colden Common.
A playoff place for Port is now sadly an impossibility, with the County Town club 10 points off the promotion places with 3 games of their season left to play.
In Isle of Wight football…
The Harwoods Division 1 promotion race is yet to be decided.
Treble chasing champions Whitecroft & Barton Sports are level on points with leaders West Wight but have an inferior goal difference. However, W&B have a game in hand over West Wight.
W&B are home to Bembridge & Vectis while West Wight host Northwood St Johns. On Tuesday, W&B face Brading Town, with the two sides meeting again on Thursday in the Memorial Cup final at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
Division 2 sees the clash of the top teams in the division – Binstead & COB and Sandown & Lake – at the Molehill. Sandown currently top the table on 41 points with Binstead 7 points behind with 2 games in hand. A win for Binstead would reduce the deficit to just 4 points.
In Combination 1, Brading Town Reserves top the division, level on points with W&B Reserves – who have completed their season. Brading need only a point against Shanklin Reserves at Vicarage Lane to secure the Combi 1 Championship.
Wessex League fixtures for Saturday 18th April
Wessex Premier
Cowes Sports v Brockenhurst
Petersfield Town v East Cowes Vics
Division 1
Colden Common v Newport
Wessex League fixtures for Tuesday 21st April
Velocity Wessex League Cup semi final
Cowes Sports v Stoneham
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Saturday 18th April
Harwoods Division 1
Brading Town v Shanklin (13:30)
West Wight v Northwood SJ
W&B v Bembridge & Vectis
Division 2
Binstead & COB v Sandown & Lake
ECS v East Cowes Vics Reserves
Newport Reserves v Ryde Saints
Combination 1
Sandown & Lake Reserves v ECS Reserves
Brading Town Reserves v Shanklin Reserves (15:45)
Combination 2
Bembridge & Vectis A v West Wight A
High Park A v Sandown & Lake A
Ryde Saints Reserves v Binstead & COB Reserves
Isle of Wight fixtures for Tuesday 21st April
Junior A final
At Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes – 19:30
ECS Reserves v Binstead & COB
Division 1
W&B v Brading Town
Division 2
Pan v East Cowes Vics Reserves
Combination 1
Brading Town Reserves v Sandown & Lake Reserves
Isle of Wight fixtures for Wednesday 22nd April
Division 2
Ryde Saints v ECS
Combination 2
Sandown & Lake A v Oakfield A
Isle of Wight fixtures for Thursday 23rd April
Memorial Cup Final
At Zilch Waste Stadium, Cowes – 19:30
Brading Town v W&B
