East Cowes Vics were victorious in the Boxing Day derby at Westwood Park – the first festive league meeting between the two clubs since 2014.
The Wessex League Premier clash marked a significant chapter in the rivalry, with both sides having made major strides since their last Christmas encounter at Beatrice Avenue over a decade ago when the attendance was little over 100 spectators.
Vics boss Alex Smith named an unchanged squad from the side beaten at Hamble last weekend, while Cowes came into the match on the back of 2 straight wins.
It was Vics who made the stronger start. Caleb Neale tested Ed Hatt in the Cowes goal after just 3 minutes, before Connor Kelly forced another save and later curled the ball just wide. George Coulson’s shot on 17 minutes was deflected past the post.
Jake Wright was a constant danger, firing just over on 20 minutes before Hatt denied him again shortly after. Jordan Chapman shot from distance but couldn’t trouble the keeper, and Hatt was once more called upon to deny Jake Scrimshaw on 31 minutes. Triggs then headed narrowly wide from the resulting corner.
Wright and Kelly continued to threaten before Vics finally made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time. A blocked shot from Josh Neale fell to Jake Wright, who calmly slotted home from six yards to give the visitors the lead.
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 East Cowes Vics
Cowes looked sharper after the break, with early efforts from Fin Phillips, John McKie and Ryan Oatley failing to hit the target. Jordan Chapman’s strike on 71 minutes was easily held by George Bridi.
Substitute Will Bridi drove into the Vics box and fired wide on 72 minutes, before a cross was cleared off the line by Triggs. George Bridi reacted well a minute later to stop his brother Will at close range.
Vics nearly sealed it on 80 minutes when Josh Neale’s driven effort was tipped inches wide by Hatt. Cowes continued to push, with McKie hitting the side netting on 83 minutes and Holdsworth firing just over in stoppage time.
Potential match winner Harry Taylor came off the bench for Cowes with 7 minutes of the match remaining, with many questioning why the dead ball specialist had not been brought on eqarlier.
The final whistle confirmed a hard-earned win for Vics in a tightly contested derby that showcased the growing quality of football on the Isle of Wight in front of a bumper Boxing Day crowd.
Full time: Cowes Sports 0-1 East Cowes Vics
Attendance: 812
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Haward, Chase, Oatley, Colson, McKie (c), Cook, Browne, Phillips, McFarlane Subs: Bridi, Cruttenden, Perrin, Taylor, Marsek M-o-m: Ryan Hughes
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Newbold (c), Triggs, Wheeler, Chapman, Wright, J Neale, Kelly, Scrimshaw, C Neale Subs: Holdsworth, Hart, Bricknell, Holbrook, Boyd-Kerr M-o-m: Jake Wright
After the game, Cowes Sports manager Mark Woodhouse said:
“In the first half, Vics were a bit more aggressive than us. After half time, we were a bit more dominant in terms of territory, but we just couldn’t find that equalising goal. They defended really well in countless set pieces, but we couldn’t find the quality we needed to finish the chance, and time ran out for us towards the end.
“It’s a local derby. We just have to dust ourselves off and make sure we’re ready to go next Saturday.
“It’s really good for both clubs that so many have come out to support Isle of Wight football.”
Vics manager Alex Smith commented:
“I was really delighted with the first half performance. It wasn’t the first half I had expected. We were geared up to expect Cowes to have the majority of the possession. We set an impressive level of energy, quality and intensity. It was them that were forced to live with us – not the other way round.
“In the 2nd half, Cowes were more on the front foot. I thought the boys stepped up to it very well.
“We try not to get high on the highs and low on the lows, and last week, we were as low as we have been. We had a bad day, and today we proved we can bounce back.”
The Victorians end 2025 a point ahead of the Yachtsmen in the Wessex Premier with 23 points from 17 games. Cowes Sports drop to 14th with 22 points from 16 games.
The attendance of 812 is by far the highest in the Wessex League this season, almost 500 greater than the previous best (329 Alresford Town v Colden Common).
