Football: Isle Of Wight Wessex League Teams Raring To Go

In our new weekly feature, we preview tomorrow’s football matches involving the three Isle of Wight teams in the Wessex League.

Peter White writes….

Newport looking to bounce back 

Newport will be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing defeat last weekend, when they entertain Division One promotion rivals Andover New Street at Smallbrook Stadium (2pm kick off).

Having missed the chance to go top of the table after losing to Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Newport co-manager Steve Brougham admitted:

“We have got to play better and compete better this week. But the season is not done and dusted on that one setback, and we need to show a lot of consistency from now until the end of the season. The aim is still to finish in the top five to earn a place in the play-offs. Of course, we are going to lose a few games on the way, but I don’t want this next one to be one of them. I’m just hoping our poor performance against Bemerton was a one-off.”  

He added:

“I’ve got a good group of players who are capable of finishing in the top five, and if we don’t achieve that then it will be looked on as failure, and no one wants that. The priority is not to lose to Andover, and if we can go on and win the game, then all the better.” 

Vics aim for double bonus

East Cowes Vics will be hoping to complete a crucial double when they visit Petersfield Town, also in Division One. Vics manager Richie Woodburn hopes his young warriors can step up and repeat the win they secured over the same opposition at home a couple of weeks ago. 

Richie said:

“Petersfield will be looking for revenge, but we need the points because it is tight down there near the bottom of the table. We can’s afford to miss opportunities like this to put a bit of daylight between ourselves and the sides below us. We are currently three points better off than Petersfield, with a game in hand, so it would be good to stretch that gap a bit more.  It is also important to bounce back after our disappointing defeat last weekend.” 

Vics are set to be boosted by the return of skipper Liam Newbold, who missed last weekend’s defeat because of injury, as well as Charlie Marsek, who was not available for the trip to Millbrook.

Yachtsmen quietly confident

Cowes Sports will be looking to ease out of the bottom six of the Premier Division when they visit AFC Portchester. The Yachtsmen go into the game just four points behind their opponents, but with a game in hand, so a victory could put them well on their way to reaching mid-table safety. 

Manager Max Draper said:

“We beat Portchester at home recently, so we will be going into the game with a bit of confidence. The league is so tight that if things go right we could be above them in a couple of weeks. We’ve had a hard run of games against most of the top sides, and to be in a position where we would be in mid-table with a couple of wins is very good. But we are taking nothing for granted because Portchester started the season as favourites to win the title, and on their day they are still one of the best teams in the league, so we go into the game as underdogs.”