Wessex League 2023/24: Portland United open at Laverstock

Following the release of fixtures by Wessex League officials, the Blues have been given five league games in August.

Kyle Critchell’s men will also hope for progress in the FA Cup, with their extra preliminary round contest scheduled for Saturday, August 5 some four days after playing Laverstock.

Following the opening week, Portland’s next league match comes at home on Tuesday, August 8 against Dorset counterparts Sherborne Town.

READ MORE: Brett Pitman move to Shaftesbury ‘fantastic’ for Dorset football

The Zebras have for the 2023/24 season sidestepped to the Wessex League from the Western League.

Lymington Town then visit the Camp & Satherley Stadium on Saturday, August 12 before the Blues travel to big-spending Shaftesbury on Tuesday, August 15 for a reunion with ex-Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman.

Baffins Milton Rovers, who did the double over Portland last season, are the next visiting team to the islanders on Saturday, August 19.

Portland face three away trips in September, including consecutive journeys to Brockenhurst and Fareham plus a contest at promoted side Petersfield Town.

The Blues also host Cowes and fellow Dorset side Bournemouth Poppies.

Fast-forwarding to Saturday, November 4, Portland take on Pitman’s former club, AFC Portchester, away after the Tangerines were pipped to promotion by one point on a dramatic final day of the previous campaign.

Promoted side Andover New Street make the trip to Portland on Saturday, November 25 before the Blues visit AFC Stoneham seven days later, the Purples having finished third last season.

Isle of Wight side Cowes Sports welcome Portland on Saturday, December 16 before Christchurch come to the Camp & Satherley on Saturday, December 23.

Closing out 2023, Portland visit Poppies one week later prior to their first game of 2024 at home to US Portsmouth on Saturday, January 6.

In January and February, the Blues enjoy two sets of consecutive home games as Hamble and Portchester come to Dorset in January before Shaftesbury and Stoneham travel in February.

Portland visit Sherborne on Saturday, March 30 and close out the campaign at home to Brockenhurst on Saturday, April 27.

Elsewhere, Portland have confirmed striker Elliot Rossiter will not be joining the club, instead choosing to pursue first-team football with parent club Weymouth.

Portland fixtures

AUGUST

1 Laverstock & Ford        (A)

8 Sherborne Town          (H)

12 Lymington Town        (H)

15 Shaftesbury  (A)

19 Baffins           (H)

SEPTEMBER

2 Brockenhurst  (A)

9 Fareham Town              (A)

16 Cowes           (H)

23 Petersfield    (A)

30 Bournemouth            (H)

OCTOBER

7 Hythe & Dibden           (A)

14 Blackfield & Langley  (H)

21 US Portsmouth          (A)

28 Moneyfields (H)

NOVEMBER

4 AFC Portchester           (A)

11 Hamble Club (A)

18 Fareham Town           (H)

25 Andover New Street  (H)

DECEMBER

2 AFC Stoneham              (A)

9 Hythe & Dibden           (H)

16 Cowes           (A)

23 Christchurch (H)

30 Bournemouth Poppies            (A)

JANUARY

6 US Portsmouth             (H)

13 Lymington Town        (A)

20 Hamble Club (H)

27 AFC Portchester         (H)

FEBRUARY

3 Baffins             (A)

10 Shaftesbury  (H)

17 AFC Stoneham           (H)

24 Christchurch (A)

MARCH

2 Laverstock & Ford        (H)

9 Andover New Street    (A)

16 Petersfield Town        (H)

23 Moneyfields (A)

30 Sherborne Town        (A)

APRIL

20 Blackfield & Langley  (A)

27 Brockenhurst              (H)