Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics both began the new Wessex Premier Division season with home defeats this afternoon.
VICS DENIED BY LATE GOALKEEPING HEROICS
East Cowes Vics deserved at least a point but were thwarted by an inspired Luke Cairney as Andover New Street claimed a 0-1 victory at Beatrice Avenue.
East Cowes Vics were left frustrated on the opening day of the Wessex Premier Division season as a second-half siege failed to prevent defeat against Andover New Street.
Played in sweltering conditions on a rock-hard pitch, the contest was always likely to be decided by fine margins. Vics were also forced to reshuffle under new joint managers Alex Smith and Elliot Wheeler, with Jordan Chapman, Liam Newbold and Charlie Urry all unavailable. New signings Ollie West and Gabriel Wall were handed their competitive debuts.
The hosts settled quickest and almost made the perfect start when Jake Wright’s early free-kick was pushed away by Luke Cairney.
Instead, it was the visitors who struck first after 16 minutes. A pinpoint free-kick was met by Claudio Herbert, whose powerful header flew beyond the Vics goalkeeper to give Andover a 0-1 lead.
Vics responded positively. Issiaga Kaba headed narrowly over before Wright again tested Cairney with a well-struck effort, but Andover stood firm and neither side created another clear opening before the break.
Half Time: East Cowes Vics 0-1 Andover New Street
The home side emerged with renewed purpose after the restart. Toby Snow forced another save from Cairney within two minutes and Vics continued to enjoy the better of the play, although clear-cut chances remained difficult to come by in the oppressive heat.
George Higgins came within inches of levelling on 62 minutes when his effort drifted just wide, while Josh Neale was denied by a heavy touch after finding himself in a promising position. Raff Boyd-Kerr also tried his luck but fired over the crossbar.
Andover almost made the points safe with 11 minutes remaining, only for Malachi Dotse to shoot wide when well placed.
That miss kept Vics alive and set up a frantic finale. The visitors retreated deeper and deeper as the hosts poured forward, urged on by a crowd of 209 searching for a late equaliser.
The moment almost arrived deep into stoppage time when Josh Neale’s superb 20-yard free-kick curled towards the top corner, only for Cairney to produce an outstanding fingertip save that proved worthy of winning any match.
It was the final chance of the afternoon as Andover held on to take all three points, leaving Vics to reflect on an encouraging performance that ultimately brought no reward.
Full Time: East Cowes Vics 0-1 Andover New Street
East Cowes Vics: Bridi; Snow, Yates, West, Triggs (c), Wheeler, Wall, Wright, J Neale, Boyd-Kerr, Barnes Subs: Hart, Haward, Mooney, C Neale, Dyer
Further match report to follow…
