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Big Weekend Of Football For Isle Of Wight Sides

The Isle of Wight’s three top football clubs all face important games in the Wessex League tomorrow (Saturday).

In a new weekly feature, we preview the chances of Premier Division Cowes Sports, and Division One pair Newport and East Cowes Vics.

Peter White writes....

Yachtsmen aim to close gap

Cowes Sports play hosts to Alresford Town tomorrow, looking to find the consistency they need to edge closer to mid-table security.

Yachtsmen manager Max Draper admitted:

“We are a bit disappointed in ourselves, because we have been playing well but dropping stupid points. Now we need to stop doing that and put games to bed, rather than allow the opposition to get back into games.

“We need to do exactly that this weekend because Alresford have always been our bogey team, and we need to banish that. I said at the start of the season that a mid-table finish must be our aim, and to be inside the top 10 would be fantastic. If we are to achieve that we must be more consistent.” 

The Yachtsmen will be missing several key players though injuries and suspensions, but fit-again striker John McKie will be hoping to add to his goal tally, having scored nine times in four games before tearing a hamstring which kept him out several weeks. 

 

Newport push for top spot

Despite still having no ground of their own, Newport are having an excellent season in Division One under joint managers Steve Brougham and Stew Shepherd. The Port take on title rivals Bemerton Heath Harlequins at their temporary home at Smallbrook Stadium tomorrow, knowing victory would leapfrog them above their opponents to the top of the table. They will be hoping to defend their 100 per cent home record.

Steve said:

“As only the top team get automatic promotion this season, I would still make Bemerton favourites to win the league. Our aim must be to finish in the top five, so we will have a chance of promotion through the play-offs, although of course, winning the league would be brilliant.

“We have made a decent start to the season, but there are some very good sides in this division, so we know it is not going to be easy. We just need to concentrate on ourselves, and try to still be up there at the end of the season. But whatever happens, we really need to have a new ground by the start of next season because we want to start building this club. It is difficult to move forward when you only have a first team, and no back-up from a reserve squad.”

 

‘Massive’ game for Vics

East Cowes Vics visit Millbrook tomorrow, the team immediately above them in the Division One table.

Vics' manager, Richie Woodburn, pointed out:

“At the moment there are five points between us, so we could close the gap to two, or find ourselves eight points adrift of them, which is a lot to make up. It means we will either be heading towards mid-table or be only four points away from the relegation zone, so it’s a massive game.

“Unfortunately, we are struggling to put out anything like a full-strength team because of injuries, suspensions and unavailability. So it’s all hands to the pump, and I’m just hoping no more players drop out at the 11th hour. But it is what it is, and we must get on with it, and try to pick up maximum points as a springboard towards reaching that mid-table spot.”

A big bonus for Vics is that Richie is not afraid to throw very young players into the fray.

He added:

“Two 16-year-olds scored for us last weekend, and I can’t remember any side at this level doing that before. We are always on the look-out for good, local talent.”

 

Isle of Wight Saturday League

 

Shanklin will be looking to maintain their slender lead at the top of Division One of the Isle of Wight Football League tomorrow when they take on Vectis at Cowes Enterprise College.

Shanklin are still unbeaten in the league this season, but are just two points ahead of Whitecroft and Barton, who can boast a 100 per cent record, and have two games in hand on the team just above them.

W&B will be hoping to extend their impressive run when the entertain fourth-places Cowes Sports Reserves, while in other First Division games, Bembridge are at home to West Wight; Brading Town host Sandown and Lake; Binstead and Cob visit Niton, and Ryde Saints are away to Oakfield.

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