East Cowes Victoria beat higher league opposition in Gloucestershire this afternoon (Saturday) to advance to the 2nd round of the FA Vase.
Their opponents – Cotswold club Fairford Town – play in the Hellenic Premier Division, 1 step above Vics.
The win was all the more impressive as it was achieved without the presence of 2 of the East Cowes club’s regular strikers: Josh Neale and Scott Jones.
After a cagey first 15 minutes, Vics took the lead through a beautifully dispatched Jacob Reynolds strike into the top corner of the goal (0-1).
The game was played at an unbelievable pace, and it was Vics who were creating the chances. Liam Triggs was unlucky on 20 minutes, Harrison Yates hit the top of the crossbar from 30 yards on the half hour mark, and Jacob Reynolds headed inches wide in the 40th minute.
Vics should have increased their lead right on half time, but an incredible save from Harrison Ellis in the Fairford goal to deny Caleb Neale saw the Island side reach half time with a narrow single goal advantage.
Half time: Fairford Town 0-1 East Cowes Victoria
Vics had further opportunities to extend their lead in the 2nd half. Jacob Reynolds couldn’t quite find the target on 67 minutes; Kudzi Mazambara was clean through on 74 minutes, but his effort beat both the Fairford keeper and the far post.
The Victorians’ back four were playing out of their skins, and the midfield must have run 15 kilometres each. The big chance for Fairford came on 84 minutes, but Alex Ram made a fingertip save to prevent an equalising goal.
Fairford desperately appealed for a penalty late in the game but were waved away by the young referee. The Fairford complaints were over the top, and Tom Chamberlain was sin binned for an over enthusiastic verbal attack on the official.
The coup de gras came in the 95th minute when Raff Boyd-Kerr’s defence-splitting pass picked out Charlie Hart, and the youngster raced through to slot the ball under the keeper (0-2).
Full time: Fairford Town 0-2 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold (c), Wheeler, Chapman, Triggs, Boyd-Kerr, Reynolds, Hart, C. Neale Subs: Kirby, Coode, Wragg, Mazambara, Cassford
YACHTSMEN SAIL UP WESSEX PREMIER TABLE
A 90th minute strike from Charlie Marsek saw Cowes Sports beat Portland United by the only goal of the game.
The Yachtsmen had an early scare when Hatt was forced to divert the ball onto the upright in the 13th minute.
Cowes then had a series of chances, with Mumford shooting wide of the post in the 16th minute, and McFarlane volleying the ball over the bar in the 25th. Portland also had their opportunities, with Camp heading wide in the 24th minute.
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-0 Portland United
The Yachtsmen dominated the 2nd 45 minutes without making a breakthrough until the final minute of full time.
The 2nd half began with Cowes centre forward McFarlane shooting wide, following which Jez Conway sent a header past the upright. The home side won a succession of corners but were unable to apply the finishing touch. Jordan Cook then had an effort saved in the 64th minute.
An excellent chance fell for McFarlane in the 78th minute when he went 1-to-1 with the Portland keeper, who parried the ball for a corner which Marsek headed over the crossbar.
The Yachtsmen finally hit the back of the net in the 90th minute when Mumford beat 4 players before crossing the ball to Charlie Marsek for the No.10 to slot the ball into the bottom corner to score his maiden Wessex Premier goal.
Full time: Cowes Sports 1-0 Portland United
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Mumford, Conway, Oatley (c), Phillips, Cook, Wright, McFarlane, Marsek, W. Bridi Subs: Chase, Carter-Knight, McKie, Tout-Walters, Jackman
After the game, Cowes manager Ian Potts said:
“Portland are an excellent side. We played really well and had a great spell in the 2nd half.
“Charlie was great after being patient and waiting for a start.
“A fantastic result and much needed to move up the table.”
Ian also sportingly congratulated East Cowes Vics on their victory.
The win for the Yachtsmen sees Cowes rise from 18th to 13th place in the Wessex Premier table.
PORT HELD AT HOME BY COVE
Newport failed to advance further towards the playoff positions after drawing with North Hampshire side Cove at Beatrice Avenue.
Present Port keeper Leon Pitman received a presentation before the game from former Port keeper Gary Streeter to commemorate his 100th appearance for the County Town club.
Newport succeeded in putting the ball into the net in the old fashioned way by bundling it in with the Cove keeper in the 22nd minute, but as such physical challenges have been outlawed for half-a-century, it was disallowed by the referee.
Just before the half hour mark, Ji Nash saw a superb curling effort tipped over the crossbar by Cove keeper Kerrison.
However, it was the away side who opened the scoring with a superb shot from the edge of the penalty area by centre forward Peters (0-1) .
4 minutes from the half time interval, full back Jamie Wright sent a cross into the 6-yard box with Kerrison outside the penalty area, but a Cove defender got to the ball before Ji Nash could get a touch.
Half time: Newport IW 0-1 Cove
The 2nd half began with Port captain Jordan Browne directing a diving header just past the upright.
Newport equalised in the 53rd minute when Maca Watterson rose above the Cove defence to convert a Josh Younie corner (1-1)
2 minutes later, Port co-manager Joe Butcher saw his effort trickle past the upright.
On the hour mark, Newport had a shot stopped on the goal line, possibly by the hand of a defender.
Cove ended the game with 10 men after 1 of their number was sin binned for complaining too loud and too long at the referee.
However, Port were unable to capitalise on their extra man and had to settle for a single point.
Full time: Newport IW 1-1 Cove
Newport IW: Pitman, Wright, Thompsett, West, Watterson, Holbrook, Nash, Browne (c), Younie, Butcher Subs: Myram, Young, Grace, Walsh, Craig
The draw leaves Newport 7th in Wessex Division 1, with 19 points from 11 games, 3 points behind Hamworthy United in the 4th playoff place but with a game in hand.
Gallery of Newport IW v Cove below:
