COME 3pm tomorrow (Saturday), battle lines will be drawn between East Cowes Vics and Newport in what will be the first league meeting between them at Beatrice Avenue in almost 30 years.
It is a derby Vics manager Steve Brougham and Port’s boss Andy Sampson are hugely looking forward to when they go head-to head, with both sides hitting form at the right time for the prize of bragging rights and three valuable points up for grabs.
Action from the August bank holiday encounter between Newport and East Cowes Vics, which ended 2-2. FILE
For East Cowes, it will be a mini cup final, their biggest game in decades, with a superb 2-0 away win at New Milton Town on Saturday under their belts.
Newport go into the derby having played well in their 2-2 at Totton and Eling, with striker Jordan Browne, who joined Port from Vics recently, hitting both, to add spice to the occasion.
Action from the August bank holiday encounter between Newport and East Cowes Vics, which ended 2-2. FILE
Both managers played together at Newport briefly, with Brougham scoring on his debut and Sampson also on the scoresheet, in a match against Gosport several years ago.
The two sides came out even-stevens in the previous encounter, an entertaining 2-2 in the league at St George's Park on the August bank holiday.
Although they were buoyed by their team’s performances on Saturday, it was not the result Sampson felt his side deserved.
He said: “The draw was disappointing. We really should have won it.
Newport manager Andy Sampson. Photo: Simon Dear
“In the second half, we played very well and showed glimpses of just what we’re capable of — a vast improvement on our shocking performance at Folland.
“I’m really looking forward to playing Vics. Form and recent results go out of the window in these derbies, but if we can take our form against Totton into the Vics game, I’m confident we can get a result.
“I’ve played in a few local derbies over the years and they are about who wants it more on the day.”
East Cowes Vics boss, Steve Brougham.
Brougham, who has also managed Newport, has been involved in a number of local derbies — for and against them.
“We go into this game as underdogs. It’s the biggest game at this club for years and our first against Newport since 1989.
“I hope we can play to the best of our capabilities. I’m sure out players will be up for it and give it a good go.
“We’ll still have our ups and down this season — hopefully it will be an up against Newport.
“Whatever the result, Andy (Sampson) and I will go for a pint after the game.”
Kick-off at Beatrice Avenue tomorrow will be at 3pm.
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