Football: Crucial Games For Island's Wessex League Teams

As the Wessex League heads towards the ‘business end’ of the season, the Island’s three top teams all face crucial games tomorrow. 

Peter White reports...

Newport bid to widen gap 

Newport will be hoping to make up for last weekend’s narrow defeat by Division One leaders Bemerton when they take on play-off rivals Andover Town at Smallbrook Stadium (3pm). 

Despite the recent setback, Newport remain fourth in the table, but know that tomorrow’s opponents are immediately behind them, four points adrift but with two games in hand. So victory for the Island outfit would take them a huge step nearer their aim of a top five finish, which would assure a play-off spot. 

Port manager Steve Brougham said:

“It’s another big game that we could do with winning, to put a bit more daylight between ourselves and Andover. We need to win these types of games and see where it takes us, but Andover Town have come through quietly over the past few weeks to claim that fifth spot, so it will be a tough one. The good thing is that I should have a full squad to choose from, unless there are any last-minute problems.”  

Steve added:

“We were due to play Oakfield in the IW Cup at Smallbrook on Wednesday evening, but it had to be called off because of a waterlogged pitch. So, we are hoping there will be no more rain before the weekend, to give this game a chance of taking place, although there may still have to be an early-morning inspection.” 

Newport are also in action on Tuesday evening when they take on bottom club Totton and Eling.

The match has already switched to East Cowes Vics’ ground at Beatrice Avenue (7.45pm). 

Vics aim to ease pressure

East Cowes Vics will be looking to take a big step towards banishing any Division One relegation fears when they face Whitchurch United at Beatrice Avenue (3pm). Vics manager Richie Woodburn knows his team still face some tough encounters before the end of the season, including the trip to title contenders Folland Sports on Tuesday evening. 

Richie said:

“The Whitchurch game is massive because we have both played seven games since Christmas. During that time, we have only won one and drawn one, while they recorded their only win against bottom side Totton and Eling last week. To add to the tension, Fawley, who are just below us, and Ash United, who are just above us, play each other his weekend, so three points for us would go a long way towards ensuring we don’t get sucked into a relegation battle. As Infinity FC have already withdrawn from the division, we are assuming only two teams will be relegated, but that has not yet been confirmed. But it would still be nice to make sure we are safe well before the season ends.”

Daunting task for Yachtsmen

Cowes Sports face a daunting task in the Premier Division when they visit league leaders Hamworthy United (3pm). But that will not stop the Yachtsmen from trying to inflict a first home defeat of the season on the mainland opposition, who have so far won 13 and drawn one on their own patch, scoring 45 goals and conceding just three. 

That impressive record has put Hamworthy six points clear at the top, and they are hot favourites to lift the title. But the Yachtsmen are safe in the knowledge that their current 15th placing should already be good enough to avoid a last-ditch relegation scrap, unless a crop of freak results at other clubs go against them over the next few weeks. 

Although Yachtsmen manager Max Draper hopes his side can pull off a shock victory, he is already making plans for the future, once their Premier League status in mathematically assured for next season.

He said:

“This is another good test for us in going forward. We are beginning to look at different players in different positions for the coming months, with thoughts turning to how we can develop further of the next few years. 

"We, as always, will have to make a few changes through injuries, suspensions and illness, but will do our best to give another good account of ourselves against the top side in the league.”