6th-placed East Cowes Vics Reserves were held at home by a 2nd-from-bottom Newport Reserves side in a floodlit game on Wednesday evening.
Both teams started with teenagers playing their first season of men’s football, including 6x 16-year-olds in their respective starting line-ups.
The Port opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a great individual goal from George Humphreys, who drove the ball down the pitch before rounding Ben Woodford in the Vics goal to score from a tight angle (0-1). The away side then doubled their lead after 16 minutes when a cross from the left fell kindly for full back Stephen McCarthy who volleyed home from the far post (0-2).
Vics pulled a goal back in the 27th minute: a pass from Alex Harvey found Charlie Shilson-Marsek, who fought off the challenge of a Newport defender and fired home (1-2). The home side then found themselves level 7 minutes later after a quick throw in from Ollie Ash found Charlie Southcott on the edge of the area, who was allowed to turn and fire a first time shot through the Newport keeper Alan Hendy and into the net (2-2).
HT: East Cowes Vics Reserves 2-2 Newport Reserves
The 2nd half saw Vics put the Port’s defence under pressure, and more than a few chances go begging with Damo Cassford, Harvey, Southcott, and Brandon Tuckey all unlucky not to score. In the 58th minute, Tuckey was unlucky to see his attempt on goal bounce off the upright.
With a lot of young legs on the pitch, it was no surprise to see both teams run out of steam as the match progressed and even with the rolling substitutions, there were a few instances of cramp creeping into tired limbs. In the 75th minute, Newport goalkeeper Alan Hendy was forced to leave the field of play with a suspected broken finger.
Vics battled hard to score a last-minute winner but were unable to find the finishing touch and had to settle for a point.
FT: East Cowes Vics Reserves 2-2 Newport Reserves
East Cowes Vics: B. Woodford, Ash, K. Woodford, Terry, McNaney, Vaughan (c), Southcott, Sheerin, Harvey, Barros, Shilson-Marsek, Subs: Cassford, Barsdell, Tuckey
Newport: Hendy, McCarthy, Haisell, Mansell, Kirby, White, Hinchcliffe, Gamble, Cook, Humphreys, Jones-Evans Subs: Hendy, Miller, Binsley-Smith
After the game, Vics Reserves manager Stuart Simmons said:
“Tonight was all about bringing in the youngsters. We showed great character to come back from 2-0 down.”
Newport Reserves manager John Hinchcliffe said:
“We had a good first 30 minutes and battled well in the second half. We came here for the win but ran out of legs.”
