East Cowes Victoria edged closer to the top of Wessex Division 1 by knocking 5 goals past Fawley this afternoon (Saturday).
Manager Alex Smith made changes after last week’s win against Hamworthy United – in came Zak Sullivan and Ben Holdsworth, Aedan Coode and Jordan Chapman dropped to the bench and Fraser Law retained the number 1 jersey.
Before the match, Toby Snow was awarded a bottle of bubbly for his 150th appearance – a remarkable achievement for a 19-year-old.
Vics were quick out of the blocks and went in front within 5 minutes when a cross from Harrison Yates eluded everyone to nestle in the Fawley net (1-0).
Further efforts from Josh Neale and Jacob Reynolds on 9 and 11 minutes were saved by James Bruce the Fawley keeper, but he couldn’t stop Raff Boyd-Kerr, whose header at the far post rocketed past him (2-0).
Further chances fell for Reynolds and Yates before Vics increased their lead on 25 minutes when a cross from man-of-the-match Toby Snow found Jacob Reynolds alone at the far post to nod home (3-0).
Vics had further opportunities to extend their lead at the end of the 1st half with Toby Snow having an effort saved on 31 minutes, Jacob Reynolds missing the target on 37 minutes and Ben Holdsworth and Josh Neale squandering further scoring opportunities.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 3-0 Fawley
The Victorians continued to torment the Fawley defence from the 2nd half kick off, with Josh Neale denied and Elliott Wheeler unlucky with a 20-yard goal attempt. Jacob Reynolds then had a shot well saved by Bruce. Josh Neale was again unfortunate on 64 minutes, seeing a goal-bound shot hit Reynolds on the goal line.
Jack Roberts was unlucky for Fawley on 64 minutes when he was denied a goal by a fine Fraser Law save.
The 21st birthday boys – twins Josh and Caleb Neale – combined on 66 minutes, but Josh’s spectacular effort from a Caleb Neale cross went inches over.
Caleb Neale increased Vics’ lead on 78 minutes, with a header from a Yates cross (4-0).
Caleb then scored his 2nd and Vics’ 5th on 85 minutes, with a mazy run which saw the young striker leave 3 defenders in his wake to finish in style (5-0). He was then unlucky not to have grabbed a hat trick a minute from full time when he had a further effort saved.
Full time: East Cowes Victoria 5-0 Fawley
East Cowes Victoria: Law, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Triggs, Sullivan, Holdsworth, Boyd-Kerr, Reynolds, Wheeler, J. Neale Subs: Perrin, Chapman, C. Neale, Voller, Coode
Victory for the Victorians leaves the East Cowes side 4th in Wessex Division 1 with 44 points from 20 games, 8 points behind leaders New Milton but with 2 games in hand.
YACHTSMEN SALVAGE POINT FROM DOCKERS
Cowes Sports came back from a goal behind to take a point from Millbrook at Westwood Park.
The Yachtsmen had the 1st scoring opportunity in a low quality 1st half when John McKie shot through a crowded penalty area and past the upright in the 4th minute.
Millbrook took the lead in 32nd minute from a free kick from the edge of the penalty area, in which Gorman set up Jamie White to put the visitors into the lead (0-1).
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Millbrook
The Yachtsmen began the 2nd half with attacking intent. In the 56th minute, Jordan Browne had a shot blocked, with Jake Wright dispatching the rebound into the bottom right corner (1-1).
Millbrook then had a succession of opportunities to regain the lead with White hitting the crossbar, Woodcock seeing the rebound saved by Hatt and Erdinc heading inches wide.
However, it was Cowes who finished the 2nd half in the ascendancy, with Mckie having a shot parried by Millbook keeper Skrzyniarz then having a further goal attempt cleared at the back post. McKie had a further opportunity to win the game for the Yachtsmen in the 81st minute but sent his backheel wide of the upright. Finally, Charlie Marsek dispatched a shot wide of the right post 4 minutes from the full time whistle.
Full time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Millbrook
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Mumford, Chase, Oatley, Phillips, Cook, Wright, Browne, McKie (c), Marsek Subs: Dempsey, McFarlane, Jackman, Tout-Walters, Conway
The point leaves the Yachtsmen 11th in the Wessex Premier with 26 points from 21 games.
NEWPORT THWARTED BY HAMMERS IN 6-POINTER
Newport suffered their 4th defeat of the season on Hamworthy United’s 4G pitch.
Port started the game on the front foot, with Harry Taylor proving effective up front. However, Hamworthy got a foothold in the game, and their top scorer Bailey Rowe started to cause issues with some clever runs.
Hamworthy took the lead when a simple ball over the top was coolly chipped over the forward rushing Leon Pitman by Rowe in the 29th minute (1-0).
Half time: Hamworthy United 1-0 Newport IW
Newport were on top for large parts of the 2nd half. Port deservedly went level in the 63rd minute when Joe Butcher slotted home from a tight angle on the left hand side of the area (1-1).
Unfortunately, for the remainder of the game, Port created chances but were not able to finish them off. Newport’s corners created panic in the home defence, with one such set piece resulting in the ball being cleared off the goal line.
The game was lost to a controversial winner as a square ball was played across the edge of the box and tucked home under keeper Leon Pitman in the 67th minute (2-1). However, a retreating attacker appeared to have interfered with play in the build up.
Full time: Hamworthy United 2-1 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, West, Watterson, Holbrook, Walsh, Younie, Young, Taylor, Butcher, Nash, Craig Subs: Goldberg, Thompsett, Linington, Foster, Grace
Newport’s defeat leaves them in 8th place in Wessex Division 1, 7 points below Hamworthy, who occupy the 4th playoff place spot. Had Port taken the 3 points, they would be just 1 point off the playoff places.
