WEEK 1 - PREVIEW
Another season - the 37th in Wessex League history (with two unfinished of course) - and as is the custom of late, a midweek start to ensure that those Clubs involved in the FA Cup on the first Saturday in August have a competitive match under their belts before embarking on the Wembley trail.
So, a full Premier Division Programme on Tuesday plus three games in Division One since happily three Clubs from that Division have been included in the draw. Taking the Premier Division matches in alphabetical order, AFC Portchester entertain Cowes Sports and as favourites for the title in many eyes they should start with a win.
Baffins Milton Rovers host Hamble Club in a fixture that has been reversed from the original listing. The Portsmouth based Club enjoyed a strong start to last season before falling away in the second half but should start this time round with the three points.
Newly promoted Bemerton Heath Harlequins travel to Blackfield & Langley and will be hoping for at least a share of the spoils while based on last season’s form Brockenhurst should be too strong for Christchurch in the New Forest.
Fareham scored goals for fun on occasions last season but were also prone to conceding at the other end, and AFC Stoneham may well come out on top at Cams Alders.
The Match of the Evening could well be at Five Heads Park where Horndean meet Moneyfields. The Deans were there or thereabouts all last season and will be hoping to improve on their eventual fourth place while the visitors have title ambitions of their own. Should be a healthy attendance as well.
Hythe & Dibden avoided relegation last time with a storming finish to the season and welcome Laverstock & Ford who gained promotion through the Play Off system and the result could go either way.
New boys Pagham, who have moved over from the Southern Combination League, could start their campaign with a home victory at the expense of U.S. Portsmouth and it also may well be a home victory at Portland United where Bournemouth are the visitors.
Meanwhile Brockenhurst welcome Christchurch to the Meadens Skoda Arena, while Bournemouth visit Portland United.
Finally, Shaftesbury, third last season as well as being League Cup Winners, will be looking for a similar campaign and could get off to a successful start against visitors Alresford Town.
As stated earlier, three games in Division One involving the three Clubs who missed out on promotion at the playoff stage. Newport IOW travel to Ash United, who fell away last season after a good start, and the three points could go back to the Island while Andover New Street visit Fleetlands for a game which in a sense is a step in the dark for both Clubs. It will be the home Club’s first game back in the Wessex League after an absence of 16 seasons and also the first ever meeting between the two sides. Too many imponderables to suggest a result.
Lastly Fawley entertain Folland Sports in what, based on last season, should be an away win.
Good wishes to all for the evening and of course the season ahead.
Article Photo: Moneysfields (in green) against Downton in pre-season (Photo: Dave Bodymore). Moneys start their campaign at Horndean on Tuesday night, while Downton visit Petersfield Town on August 6.
