Winchester City travel to the Isle of Wight tonight for a top-of-the-table Hampshire League clash against an East Cowes Vics side who will be looking to impress new manager Tony Newman.

Winchester boss John Robson is without midfield duo Lloyd Webber (knee) and Gary Green (back) but is still confident that his side can increase their six-point lead over Vics.

He said: "With all due respect to East Cowes, we'll beat them if we're at our best.

"They play a similar system to us, they're very organised but they are a bit slow at the back.

"They're obviously a good side and we'll be respecting them but not too much. They're second but I think that Vospers could be the team that turn them over and Poole and Locks Heath are every bit as strong.

"Travelling over to the Isle of Wight means that any number of things could go wrong, like players getting lost, but I'm confident we'll get all three points."

Robson is already without Steve Waite and Scott Jacobs, who are suffering from whiplash sustained in a car crash last Thursday.

That ruled them out of the Southampton Senior Cup clash against Cadnam City on Saturday, a match Winchester won 5-1.

Vics, meanwhile, had their match postponed on Saturday so Newman, the replacement for Hugh Lewis and a former coach at Brading Town, takes charge for his first game tonight.

Chairman Arthur Richards said: "Tony got together with the team on Saturday for the first time and he got a very positive reception from the players.

"He already knows some of the more senior players and is a strong character, which is what we need. The two games against Winchester will be critical if we're going to catch them but Tony has a full strength squad to pick from so it should be an interesting encounter."

Kick off at Beatrice Avenue is at 7.30pm.