Both Newport and East Cowes Victoria were beaten by North Island opposition this afternoon (Saturday).
PORT VANQUISHED BY TOP-OF-THE-TABLE WHITCHURCH
Newport were defeated by the Jam Boys by the only goal of of a hard-fought, competitive game.
The first chance of the game fell to Port with Neo Lamb dispatching a free kick narrowly wide. Ji Nash then came close with the Whitchurch keeper tipping his effort over. The Island side had the ball in the back of the net in the 23rd minute but the effort was ruled offside.
The Jam Boys then came into the ascendancy but failed to find the fininishing touch with a couple of free headers.
In the 28th minute, Port keeper Pitman kept out a penalty from the home side to allow Port to reach the half time break without conceding.
Half time: Whitchurch United 0-0 Newport IW
The Jam Boys dominated the start of the 2nd half before taking the lead through Alex Fragata in the 55th minute (1-0).
Substitute Brad Young came close to equalising for Newport but had his effort blocked by defender. Pitman kept Port in the game by pulling off an incredible stop to a goalbound header.
Port’s final scoring opportunity came close to full time when Henry West was unable to connect with a Ji Nash cross at the far post.
Full time: Whitchurch United 1-0 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, West, Benford, Hancott (c), Lamb, Thompsett, Grace, Walsh (Kirby), Taylor (Young), Butcher, Nash Subs: Craig, Young, Kirby
Defeat leaves Newport bottom of Wessex Division 1 with 3 defeats from 3 games.
VICS GO DOWN TO 5-GOAL DEFEAT AT DOWNTON
East Cowes Victoria suffered their heaviest defeat for over 2 seasons at Downton in Wiltshire.
Downton featured 2 well-known Isle of Wight players in their line-up: Jake Scrimshaw and Josh Younie. For East Cowes Vics, George Holbrook and Kudzi Mazambara came in for the injured Liam Triggs and Liam Newbold.
The Robins opened the scoring in the 6th minute through Archie Whitfield, who was set up by Scrimshaw (1-0).
Tommy Farnsworth then added a second for the home side with a 23rd minute header (2-0).
Whitfield bagged his brace in the 35th minute to ensure the Wiltshire side reached half time with a 3-goal advantage (3-0).
Half time: Downton 3-0 East Cowes Victoria
Vics came close to pulling a goal back on the hour mark when George Holbrook headed a Harrison Yates cross on to the crossbar.
An unmarked Cam Beard headed home a 4th for the Robins in the 67th minute (4-0).
Zach Sullivan came close to pulling a goal back for Vics 6 minutes from full time when he saw an effort hit both posts before being cleared.
Downton’s 5th came courtesy of No. 10 Luke Delaney (5-0) 3 minutes from full time.
Full time: Downton 5-0 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Snow, Yates, Wheeler, Holbrook, Boyd-Kerr, Wright, Mazambara, J. Neale, Reynolds, Kelly Subs: Roberts, Sullivan, Voller, Wragg, Webb
Defeat leaves the Victorians 16th in the Wessex Premier, with 1 point from 2 games.
Vics travel to North Island to face Romsey Town in the Hampshire Senior Cup on Tuesday evening (19th August).
Cowes Sports – who were without a fixture today – also feature in Hampshire Senior Cup action on Tuesday when they take on Eversley & California at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
Kick off for both games is at 19:45.
