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
YACHTSMEN UNDONE BY CLINICAL BROCKENHURST
Cowes Sports were made to pay for failing to turn a bright start into goals as Brockenhurst claimed a 2-0 victory at the Diverse Marine Stadium this afternoon.
Cowes Sports opened their Wessex Premier Division campaign with defeat despite making the brighter start against Brockenhurst.
The Yachtsmen threatened inside the opening 3 minutes when Hatt’s long ball released Phillips behind the visitors’ defence, but his touch took the ball away from him before he could get a shot away. Cook then went close from the edge of the penalty area, firing narrowly wide as Cowes continued to ask the early questions.
Brockenhurst gradually settled into the contest and had the ball in the net after 11 minutes, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny them. The visitors did make the breakthrough 7 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty, which they confidently converted to edge in front. Cowes looked to hit back before the interval after a quickly-taken throw-in released McFarlane down the right, but Marsek was unable to keep his effort below the crossbar.
Half Time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst thought they had doubled their advantage shortly after the restart, but for the second time their celebrations were cut short after a foul inside the penalty area. Cowes continued to search for an equaliser and Colson produced one of the home side’s best moments on 59 minutes, beating 2 defenders before his shot was blocked behind for a corner.
The visitors came within inches of extending their lead when an effort crashed back off the post with 16 minutes remaining, but they made the points safe on 82 minutes by converting from a corner. Cowes were unable to find a way back during the closing stages as Brockenhurst left the Island with all 3 points.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 0-2 Brockenhurst
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Flood, Chase (c), Dempsey, Colson, Cook, Phillips, McFarlane, Marsek, Mumford. Subs: Cox, Cruttenden, McKie, St John Biggs, West Man-of-the-match: Callum Chase
Next up, Cowes Sports face New Milton Town in the Hampshire Senior Cup at the Diverse Marine Stadium on Tuesday evening.
