It was defeat for all 3 of the Island’s Wessex League teams over the weekend (Saturday 6th April). In the Wessex Premier, Laverstock & Ford were welcomed to Westwood Park, with Cowes looking to leapfrog their opponents in the table. The Yachtsmen found themselves 0-2 down at halftime courtesy of a double from Chae Sykes. With nothing to lose at the resumption, Cowes went for it in the 2nd half, but it wasn’t until the 72nd minute when Finley Phillips scored that Cowes got on the scoresheet, making it 1-2. The Island-side got back on level terms when Matthew Benford – on as a 2nd half sub – smashed the ball home with his left foot after the ball came to him in the box. But, having worked so hard to get back into the game, it was in the 93rd minute that Billy Campbell-Smith – left all alone in the 6-yard box – headed home to give ‘Lavvy’ the win. Cowes are in 9th position on 50 points.
Cowes Sports 2-3 Laverstock & Ford
In Division One, East Cowes Vics were looking to consolidate their place in the play-off places when they travelled to relegation threatened New Milton Town. In a game where Vics created a hatful of chances only to be thwarted by the New Milton keeper, the away side found themselves 1-0 down at half-time. Harrison Yates levelled the score for the Island side at the beginning of the 2nd 45, but it was New Milton – who were keen to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered at Beatrice Avenue earlier in the season – who bagged all 3 points. Vics remain in 5th place – the final play-off position – 7 points ahead of 6th places Cove.
New Milton Town 2-1 East Cowes Vics
Back on the Island, Newport were looking to get back to winning ways, following their midweek draw with Ash, when they welcomed Frimley Green to Beatrice Avenue. It was a cracking start for Newport who found themselves 2-0 up after 30 minutes courtesy of goals from Sonny Myram and Michael Thomsett, but somehow the scores were level at half-time. The away side took the lead in the 2nd half and, not for the want of trying, Newport couldn’t find an equaliser. The Port remain in 13th position. Newport IoW 2-3 Frimley Green
Island League Results – Saturday 6th April 2023 Memorial Cup Ventnor 2-0 Brading Town Division 1 Binstead COB 3-2 High Park W&B 5-0 Shanklin Combination 1 East Cowes Sports Reserves 3-2 West Wight Reserves Sandown & Lake Reserves 3-3 W&B Sports Reserves Ventnor Reserves 4-1 Vectis Reserves Bembridge Reserves 9-2 Brading Reserves Combination 2 AFC Wootton Reserves 5-1 Ventnor A Newchurch Reserves 0-1 West Wight ‘A’ Niton Reserves 3-1 Ryde Saints Reserves Junior A Cup Osborne Coburg 11-0 Osborne Coburg Reserves
