Another Busy Time For Island’s Wessex League Trio

Newport will be hoping to take a step nearer the Wessex League, Division One play-offs tomorrow, while Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics will be aiming for points to edge further up their respective league tables. 

Newport On The Home Straight

Newport are aiming to complete their successful season in style as they reach the home straight. The Island side still have promotion to the Premier League firmly in their sights, and now have the advantage of playing their last four games of the campaign at Smallbrook Stadium.

Their first visitors are Ash United tomorrow, a team that has struggled to make headway throughout the season, are currently fifth from bottom of the table.

The Port then take on fellow promotion hopefuls Andover Town on Tuesday evening; entertain lowly Fleet Spurs tomorrow week, and wind up their campaign against Whitchurch United, hoping by then a top five spot, and a play-off place, will be guaranteed. 

But in true managerial style, Newport boss Steve Brougham is only taking one game at a time.

Steve said:

“The game against Ash is one we have to win, it’s as simple as that. It is no good going to Andover New Street and pulling off a great victory, as we did last weekend, and then not getting a result against Ash. We need the same type of performance that we showed at New Street, and we are certainly not taking anything for granted.

“We’ve got to get back to the winning run we showed earlier in the season, and if we play as I know we can then we will be fine. The aim is to pick up as many points as possible in these next four games and see where it takes us.”

Kick off at Smallbrook is 3pm.

Yachtsmen Planning For Future

Cowes Sports, having secured a place in the semi-finals of the IW Gold Cup, will be hoping to end their Premier Division campaign with a flourish, beginning with tomorrow’s trip to Horndean (3pm). The Yachtsmen will be back in action again on Tuesday evening when they travel to Fareham Town, and then complete their league programme with a game at Alton and a home clash against Hythe and Dibden. 

Having secured top flight survival several weeks ago, this in now a period of consolidation for the Yachtsmen, with sights already fixed on next season. But manager Max Draper admits it has not been an easy ride.

Max said:

“We are safe at this stage of the season, and that’s the first time that has happened in several years. We have done so with a squad hanging on by a thread, due to injuries, suspensions and unavailability.

“This weekend we will have 14 players missing for a variety of reasons, so trying to get two squads on to the pitch - the first team and the reserves - is hard work. But to be in a position where we can bring four of five 16-year-olds into the Wessex League is brilliant for them and us. However, because we have so many senior players out, it is a good job we are not in a relegation dogfight, because we have not been able name the same team for successive games all season.”

At least the Yachtsmen can go into the next two games under no pressure, and looking to pick up a few more bonus points. 

Vics Still Looking Up

East Cowes Vics will be looking for the one win they need to be absolutely sure of avoiding relegation from Division One when they face Millbrook at Beatrice Avenue (3pm). 

Vics manager Richie Woodburn is only too aware of the importance of a good performance, and three points, knowing his team’s last two games of the season are against league leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins and third-placed Andover New Street. 

Richie said:

“We are not even thinking about relegation. We are looking up rather than down, and if we can finish the season in style, then we could still end up as high as 13th. We have just put in two very good performances, winning at Downton, and then somewhat unfortunately losing 2-1 at play-off hopefuls Laverstock and Ford, so confidence is high.

“Of our three remaining league games, I suppose this is the most winnable, because Millbrook have recently suffered two very heavy defeats. Although I still have a couple of players missing, I have actually got 25 lads I can choose from for this game. A lot of youngsters have come into the side in recent weeks, and have done very well for me, and there has been no drop in quality. So I have quite a headache about who I should select for our final three league games and the Isle of Wight Gold Cup semi-final against Newport on April 12.”

If second-bottom Fleet are to finish above Vics, they have to win all three of their remaining games, and one of them is against Newport. But even just one more point for Vics will ensure safety, because of their superior goal difference.