East Cowes Vics lost their final friendly fixture against Wessex Premier Hamble Club at Beatrice Avenue on Saturday (30th July).
The game began on a sour note when Hamble’s Harvey Ingeldew-Coake dislocated his elbow whilst wrestling for the ball in the penalty area in the 1st minute and was forced to go to hospital. Fortunately, his injury righted itself without medical intervention. The away side were aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty in the incident.
The Monks opened the scoring with a soft goal in the 5th minute when Vics goalkeeper Ben Woodford was unable to stop a lob from Joel Ghosh (0-1). The East Cowes side were 2 down after 10 minutes through a Jack Barnes strike (0-2). Will Gange then hit the crossbar for the away side in the 24th minute. The well-organised Hamble side dominated possession for the remainder of the half without extending their lead further.
Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-2 Hamble Club
The 2nd half saw Vics introduce Billy Haylor and the talented Ant Kettell on to the field of play. The Monks went 3 up through a goal from Will Gange in the 53rd minute (0-3), with Ben Roles adding a 4th for the away side in the 59th (0-4).
In the 71st minute, Vics goalkeeper Ben Woodford found himself in no-mans-land when attempting a tackle outside his penalty area, allowing Ben Roles to add a 5th for the mainland side (0-5). 3 minutes later, Woodford could only parry a strike, which was then knocked into the net by Alfie Prendergast (0-6). Finally, 8 minutes from full time, Ben Roles beat the Vics offside trap to score his 2nd (0-7).
Full time: East Cowes Vics 0-7 Hamble Club
Vics: B. Woodford, Newbold (c), K. Woodford, Berry, Sheerin, H. Yates, Chapman, Lyon, Cant, Marsek, Snow Subs: Kettell, Haylor, Flux, Lacey
Vics play their 1st Wessex League Division 1 game on Saturday (August 6th) against relegated Amesbury Town.
Newport were left without a game on Saturday after their opponents Chichester City pulled out. The Port begin their Wessex League Division 1 campaign away to Ash United on Tuesday (2nd August).
Cowes Sports also begin their Wessex Premier campaign on Tuesday away to Portchester – probably the strongest Wessex League side. On Saturday, they face Hamble at Westwood Park in the FA Cup.
Well their better than Manutd that’s for sure.
They’re.