COWES Sports will be desperate to end a miserable run of four consecutive defeats in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier league when they host mid-table Tadley Calleva at Westwood Park tomorrow afternoon.

The Yachtsmen, on the back of a 7-1 hammering at Bashley last week — their worst result of the season — will be aiming to get back to winning ways and halt an alarming slide, which has seen them plummet from fifth to 14th.

Cowes boss Vic Sanders is, however, optimistic of grabbing a result, thanks to the return from injury of skipper and striker, John McKee, as well as seven others who missed last week's game at Bashley.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Cowes Sports forward Jimmy Wykes, on the ball, will be aiming to cause Tadley Calleva problems on Saturday.  FILE

"We were on a hiding to nothing last week, with so many players out and having half the side which did play, out of position," said Sanders, 50.

"Tadley Calleva have been on a bit of a bad run lately themselves, but we cannot underestimate any side in this league. On their day, any team can get a result against anyone. It's a tough league.

"We will give it our best shot and try to climb up the table.

"I think we will know by Christmas who will be in the top ten and who will be battling in the bottom half for the rest of the season. We aim to get above 17th — comfortably, I hope."   

In Division 1, Newport will want to put their FA Vase loss to Cribbs last Saturday behind them and continue their recent good league form with a win at Whitchurch United.

Isle of Wight County Press:

East Cowes Vics striker Elias Ahmed, challenging for the ball, will be looking to return to his early season goalscoring form against Laverstcok & Ford tomorrow.  Photo: Graham Brown 

Their local rivals in Division 1, East Cowes Vics, face Laverstock & Ford — a place above them, but with three more games played.

Vics have been inconsistent of late, producing a mixture of excellent performances and wins, with the abject, such as their 5-0 drubbing at struggling Folland Sports last weekend.  

In the Isle of Wight leagues, Division 1 table toppers Northwood St John travel to ECS to try to stay ahead of defending champions Whitecroft and Barton Sports, breathing down their necks in second and who host mid-table Binstead & COB.

Third placed Brading Town, in some good recent form, travel to mid-table Ventnor.

In the first round of the Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, Division 2 leaders Bembridge are at home to Wootton, while free-scoring Carisbrooke United travel to Wroxall.

                                                   TOMORROW’S FIXTURES

Sydenhams Wessex League Premier: Cowes Sports v Tadley Calleva.

Sydenhams Wessex League Division 1: Laverstock & Ford v East Cowes Vics; Whitchurch United v Newport.

Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist IW Memorial Cup, first round: Adgestone v Newchurch; Bembridge v Wootton; Niton Community v Brighstone; Seaview v East Cowes Vics A; Wroxall v Carisbrooke United; Yarmouth & Calbourne v Oakfield.

Harwoods Island League, Division 1: ECS v Northwood St John; Pan Sports v Sandown; Shanklin v Cowes Sports Reserves; Ventnor v Brading Town; West Wight v Osborne Coburg; Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Binstead & COB.

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

Combination 2: Wootton Reserves v Yarmouth & Calbourne Reserves; Carisbrooke United Reserves v Bembridge Reserves; Newchurch v Seaview.