Winning Hopes For Island's Wessex League Teams

All three Island football teams who compete in the Wessex League are in action tomorrow (Saturday), so we look at their hopes of a pre-Christmas bonus.

Peter White writes…

Cowes Sports look to widen gap

Cowes Sports will be hoping to build on their encouraging win over Alton last weekend when they visit Premier League new boys United Services Portsmouth. The Yachtsmen are just two points above USP in the table, but with three games in hand, so will be looking to widen the gap.

Manager Max Draper said:

“We have got to go into the game thinking we can be at 100 per cent, because when we let our standards slip, it tends to be not just a bit but big time. We know on our day we can beat any team in the division, so now is the time to put some sort of decent run together to keep climbing the table.”

The Yachtsmen still have Callum Chase missing through suspension, and several other players are either ill of unavailable.

But that’s nothing new to Draper, who added:

“I still feel we can put out a fairly strong team, capable of doing the job.”

Newport aim for winning run

Division One outfit Newport will be hoping to get their play-off hopes back on course when they take on Petersfield at Smallbrook Stadium (2pm). 

Manager Steve Brougham said:

“After only drawing last weekend, I am looking for a good performance and three points this time round. We need to start putting together a run of wins to keep us in the top five. If we create as many chances as we did last week, but take them instead of squandering them, we shall be fine. We know we have got it in our locker, but it’s all about getting more consistency and putting games to bed.”

Newport skipper Martin McDonough is still missing through suspension, and Steve is waiting to see if a couple of his players are available, or recover in time from injury, to take their places in the starting line-up.  

Vics have no fears 

East Cowes Vics have a difficult Division One clash at Andover Town, a team third in the table and pushing hard for promotion. 

But that doesn’t deter manager Ritchie Woodburn, who said:

“We took on another top side in Folland Sports last weekend, and gave them a good run for their money. But against these types of teams who are strong and play down the middle, we seem to have a style of play that bamboozles them a bit, and we get under their skin.

“It would be pointless going into any game with a negative attitude, and we shall be going there looking to pick up all three points. We are not going to be over-confident, but we are going there to play good football and further develop our squad.”

Vics have three players missing through suspension, but Richie has no worries about throwing youngsters into the fray.

He said:

“Our emphasis has been on youth and finding local lads with the right attitude and skill set, and not many other clubs are blooding youngsters like we are. It’s good to have options rather than play the same core of players each week.”