Saturday sees the start of the Sydenhams League season for the Port as we start against Verwood Town at Beatrice Avenue. The kick off time has been brought forward to 1300 as the ferries are full from 1000 through to 1600 and Verwood will be sailing very early.
Pre season friendlies have gone well, good wins over Northwood, Cowes and Brading, defeats against Baffins Milton Rovers and Bush Hill and a draw against Shanklin. More importantly the performances have been solid and everybody has got plenty of game time including fringe players and reserves.
Leaving us are Darren Powell who has retired from Wessex League (expected to return to Binstead in the Island League where he started his career) and Jared Wetherick who is planning to move into coaching in the USA.
Rejoining is Charlie Urry who was at Blackfield and Langley last season, goalkeeper Cameron Farley and a number of players dual registered on Wessex and Island League forms should the need arise to bring someone else in.
Our reserve team is up and running and are now starting to find their feet in mens football. Jake Wright, the younger brother of Lewis Wright has featured in most of the first team friendlies and is sure to make his Wessex League debut at some point this season.
Finally we are at home again on Tuesday night against US Portsmouth with a 7.45pm kick off.We then have a big run of 6 Saturday away games only interspersed with home games in Hants Senior Cup on Tues 20th August and against East Cowes Vics on Bank Holiday Monday. That means after tomorrow, the next Saturday we are at home is 21st September !