WEEKEND PREVIEW - JAN 21
How many of these games will be played is anybody’s guess but it is difficult given the weather, to see a full programme being completed.
The weekend is scheduled to kick off on Friday evening with a game in each Division.
In the Premier, and a game that should be played Moneyfields entertain Alresford at Havant & Waterlooville’s ground with an 8.00pm kick off and it is difficult to see anything other than a home win.
In Division One Fawley make the short trip to Totton & Eling and it is difficult to predict a winner so it is sitting on the fence and a draw.
On to Saturday a Premier Division leaders AFC Portchester host Hamble Club and whilst they will not find it easy they should take the three points. Second placed AFC Stoneham head to Brockenhurst having lost their last two away games but could return to winning ways while Horndean, who complete the top four and are unbeaten in seven matches at home, will surely be too strong for Christchurch at Five Heads Park.
Shaftesbury, who suffered a reverse in midweek, could bounce back at US Portsmouth and Laverstock & Ford may well be too strong at Church Road for Hythe & Dibden. Fareham, with only one away win to their name have a chance of making it two when they Cross to Cowes Sports.
At the bottom of the table both Blackfield & Langley and Pagham are at home and both are in need of points. On the Waterside Blackfield face Portland, who won at Moneyfields a week ago and could win again while Pagham face Bournemouth and have every chance of the points against a side who have not recorded an away win in their last six attempts.
The top match in Division One is at Andover New Street (pictured, in green) where the League leaders host Newport with the sides separated by four points. Street are unbeaten to date while the Island side have won eight of their nine away matches. Newport came out on top by a single goal in both meetings last season and this will be equally close.
Second place New Milton should take the three points at Whitchurch, though the earlier meeting between the two finished all square, while third place Downton entertain Petersfield with the two clubs only separated by two points. The home side’s superior fire power may just tip the scales their way.
Follands should maintain their quest for a top five placing when Ash United travel to Hamble but Andover Town may have to be happy with a point at Ringwood, who held New Street to a draw last week.
Fleetlands could get the better of things at Millbrook which brings us to the three sides at the bottom and desperately in need of points. East Cowes Vics entertain Hamworthy Recreation for the first time on the Island and may have to settle for a point but Amesbury, despite being without an away win so far, will probably fancy their chances at Romsey, given the latter’s struggles of late.
Fleet Spurs finally have three points on the board but will have difficulty in adding to their tally at Verwood so there could be little change to the relegation situation.
As to whether any of the above proves correct depends on the weather – which has a habit of late of winning with regard to fixtures being played.
Article Photo: Ian Grainger | @vi_shooter
