Newport IW FC are set to host Alresford Town at St George’s Park this afternoon (Saturday) in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier division.
Alresford Town almost won the title last season and lost out to the eventual winners Sholing in the last couple of matches; however it was a superb effort from The Magpies and they took a well deserved second place.
This season Alresford have flirted with relegation, mainly due to mass changes in playing staff; before Saturday’s match they sit 16th in the table with 34 points from 32 games and last week’s 3-1 win over Totton & Eling has all but guaranteed safety for them this year. If Alresford do stay up, they will put that down to beating the sides around them. Martin Beck’s Magpies have won seven and drawn one of their eight matches against the bottom four.
For Newport, three straight recent defeats to Winchester City, AFC Portchester and Verwood Town means the Port sit 9th in the league and will remain 9th on Saturday evening regardless of other results around them. The yellows are missing some key players again this weekend, with Gary Streeter, Oli Fleming, Scott Sampson, Iain Seabrook and Aiden Sainsbury all out.
Assistant manager John Simpkins takes the reins on Saturday as manager Steve Brougham is away.
Hot food will be available from the snack bar along with the 50/50 draw, raffle prizes, supporter’s trust programmes and memorabilia plus the main bar will be open showing Crystal Palace v Queen’s Park Rangers on the big screen.
LIVE text commentary and a new half-time quiz is available on the Match Feed page at www.live.newport-iwfc.com from 14:45.