THE Isle of Wight's trio of Sydenhams Wessex sides have some tough games and all for different reasons.

Cowes Sports travel to Test Park to face fellow strugglers Team Solent, who are two places higher in the Premier table.

A win would do wonders for both sides, though probably more so for the Yachtsmen,, who have dropped back down to second bottom folowing Bemerton Heath Harlequin's 2-2 mid-week result at Brockenhurst.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Gareth Bricknell, far right, will be hoping to keep his recent goalscoring form going against Team Solent.  FILE

Cowes player-boss John McKie, on the scoresheet against bottom side Andover New Street last Saturday, will be hoping to get something out of the Team Solent game today (Saturday).

"Another vital three points are up for grabs," said McKie.

"With a win, we can go above Team Solent and, if other results go our way, we could jump two places up the table, which would be great.

"We know Team Solent are no mugs and I think their league position is a red herring, as they've had some good results lately and it's always a tough game.

"If we're going to get what we want from the match, we've got to be at the top of our game."

Isle of Wight County Press:

East Cowes Vics boss Steve Brougham confident ahead of Alton's visit to Beatrice Avenue today.  FILE 

In Sydenhams Wessex Division 1, in-form East Cowes Vics, who grabbed a point away at United Services Portsmouth in mid-week, entertain ninth placed Alton, enjoying a six-match unbeaten league run, which has hoisted them to eighth, a place behind Newport.

Vics boss Steve Brougham will see this as a good opportunity to grab three points against a side who have lost three on the bounce.

He told the Isle of County Press: "We're hoping to keep  the good form going tomorrow against Alton.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Vics skipper Joe Butcher has been in great goalscoring form lately.  Photo: Graham Brown

"It will be another test with hopefully a full squad to choose from.

"It was tough battle against US Portsmouth in our last game, so I'm very pleased we took something out of the game.

"l would have taken four points from our last two games before we played them, as both are top sides in this division."

Newport entertain second place Romsey Town, the in-form side in the division having won seven of their last eight league games.

The Islanders showed last week against top of the table Amesbury they will be no pushovers.

Port have been putting in much-improved performances and with such a young side, since the two last played earlier in the season.

Although they lost their last two league games, both against top four sides, the margin has only been one goal and Newport could easily have improved on that with more composure in the final third.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Port manager Andy Sampson pleased with way team has acquitted itself against top teams in last two games, with another big test at St George's Park today.  FILE

Newport boss Andy Sampson said: "This will be another tough game and we will need to be at our best.

"We travelled to Romsey earlier in the season and were comfortably beaten 4-0.

"but the lads are playing well at the moment and confidence is high, so we will be hoping to pick up three points."

Isle of Wight County Press:

Newport midfielder Mark Taylor returns to the side to face Romsey Town  Photo: Simon Dear

Mark Taylor,  Connor Kelly,  Jared Wetherick and Ryan Hughes all return to the squad for tomorrow's game at St George's Park and for Wednesday's Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup tie against Shanklin, also at St George's.

In the Isle of Wight League, Division 1 leaders Whitecrodt and Barton Sports face doomed bottom side Osborne Coburg at Sandy Lane, while Division 2 table toppers Bembridge host struggling Brighstone at Steyne Park.

In the third round of the Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, Northwood St John, second in Division 1, host West Wight, while struggling Sandown entertain Pan Sports.

                          TODAY’S FIXTURES (SATURDAY)

Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division: Team Solent v Cowes Sports.

Sydenhams Wessex Division 1: East Cowes Vics v Alton; Newport v Romsey Town.

The Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, third round: Northwood St John v West Wight; Sandown v Pan Sports.

Harwoods Renault Island League, Division 1: Binstead & COB v Brading Town; Cowes Sports Reserves v Shanklin; Ventnor v ECS; Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Osborne Coburg.

Division 2: Adgestone v Bembridge; East Cowes Vics A v Niton Community; Newchurch v Ryde Saints; Seaview v Wootton; Wroxall v Carisbrooke United; Yarmouth & Calbourne v Oakfield.

Combination 1: Brading Town Reserves v Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves; ECS Reserves v Osborne Coburg Reserves; Oakfield Reserves v Sandown Reserves; Shanklin Reserves v Ventnor Reserves; West Wight Reserves v Ryde Saints Reserves.

Combination 2: Carisbrooke United Reserves v Niton Community Reserves; Ryde Saints Reserves v Wootton Reserves. Combination 2 League Cup, Group A: Bembridge Reserves v Newchurch Reserves.

                             TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Sydenhams Wessex Division 1: Romsey Town v East Cowes Vics.

                          WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Isle of Wight Harwoods Dacia Senior (Gold) Cup, quarter final: Newport v Shanklin (KO 7.30pm)