Island's Wessex League Teams Back In Action

The Island’s three Wessex League teams are back in action tomorrow (Sat) following last weekend’s washout.

Newport face a crucial Division One clash at League leaders Bemerton Heath Harlequins, while East Cowes Vics visit New Milton Town, also in Division One, and Premier League Cowes Sports entertain high-flying Hamworthy United.

Newport Face Crunch Clash

Newport face arguably their most important game of the season when they take on Bemerton in a clash that will go a long way towards deciding who will reign supreme at the end of the campaign. Although the Island side are currently in fourth place in Division One with 61 points, they have a game in hand on Bemerton (65 points), and two games in hand on second-placed Folland Sports (63 points). Andover New Street have also entered the title race, on the same number of points of Newport, having played one less game. Although Newport are already virtually assured of a play-off place, top spot is their prime aim, particularly as Premier Division football would provide the perfect platform to move into their new headquarters in the autumn, small print permitting.

Newport Manager, Steve Brougham, said:

“It is a big game, but they are still title favourites. Having said that, we have done fantastically well this season, and can get into the play-offs, which was our initial aim.

"The fact that the sides around us have gone out and spent money on players, and wages, for the run-in, shows how well we have done. We are the only team in the top five where none of our players gets paid. That is not being defeatist, because we are still good enough to beat Bemerton, but everyone will have to be at his best to make it a big team effort. Whatever happens, I believe in the lads that we have got.”

Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 3.15pm.

Vics Look For Revenge

East Cowes Vics will be looking to strengthen their position in Division One when they travel to New Milton (3pm). The sides met at Beatrice Avenue a couple on months ago with New Milton edging a 2-1 victory. Despite that setback, Vics manager Richie Woodburn believes his young side are capable of gaining revenge on the mainland. 

Richie said:

“They are a team settled in mid-table, but in one way they are a bit difficult to assess. They had a good run in the FA Vase, but they have had some odd results in the league, both good and bad. When they beat us earlier in the season it was a very tight game, and I’ve told my lads that we will use a system to try to nullify how they beat us. If they have a bad day and we have a good one, then there’s a real chance for us to pick up some points.”

A decent run-in to the end of the campaign could still see Vics fulfil their manager’s aims of a 13th place finish, well clear of any threat of relegation. 

Yachtsmen Try To Topple Toppers

Cowes Sports face the daunting task of trying to topple Premier League leaders Hamworthy United at Westwood Park (3pm). Hamworthy have lost only one league game all season and are hot favourites to lift the title. But that will not stop the Yachtsmen from attempting to give their home supporters a treat by sneaking victory, and recent form suggests it’s not totally impossible. 

Yachtsmen manager, Max Draper, said:

“After last week’s game was called off, we knew it was probably the best time for the players to get some rest in. As a result, hopefully the legs are in good shape and the lads are raring to go for a tough game. Hamworthy are on a great run in the league and FA Vase, so this is going to be one of, if not the toughest challenge of the season to date. We will go into the game with a few changes as per every week of the season, so fingers crossed the lads involved will step up.”