East Cowes Sports won local bragging rights by beating near neighbours East Cowes Vics 2-0 with 2 late 2nd half goals at the GKN Sports Ground.
ECS had a difficult end to last season, being unable to raise a side on several occasions, leading to their demotion from Division 1. However, they have now regrouped under new manager, Adam Cantelo.
Vics Reserves are playing their first season in Division 2 under manager Stuart Simmons and coach Graham Snow, who both moved to Vics from Newport.
Vics began the 1st half brightly with Billy Haylor heading just past the post in the 11th minute. In the 21st minute, Vics No 4 Ryan Lacey saw his low shot deflected past the right post. In the 30th minute, Vics centre forward, Charlie Marsek,forced a good save from ECS keeper. Then, in the 33rd minute, Lacey sent a curling shot over the ECS crossbar. In the 36th minute, Marsek put Rory Day through, but the Vics No 8 could only shoot at ECS goalkeeper, Reece Attrill.
ECS ended the 1st half strongly, when a powerful shot by Aiden Jones forced Vics goalkeeper Alex Ram to fist the ball just over the crossbar.
HT: East Cowes Sports 0-0 East Cowes Vics Reserves
The 2nd half was an even contest until the 70th minute, when ECS took the lead against a younger and less experienced side through a 25-yard free-kick from Andy Ebbs (1-0). 5 minutes later, the home side killed the game as a contest when Aiden Jones set up a scoring opportunity for Tom Fox, who then beat Vics ‘keeper Ramm in a one-on-one situation (2-0).
FT: East Cowes Sports 0-0 East Cowes Vics Reserves
ECS: Attrill, Hopcroft, Porter, Jones, Silk, Cantelo, Reeves, Bennett, Ray, Fox, Ebbs Subs: Thompson, Foster, Warren, Fletcher
Vics Reserves: Ram, Kirby, Lavell, Lacey, Berry, Vaughan, Southcott, Day, Marsek, Turner, Haylor Subs: Walker, Rimmer, Woodford
After the game, Aiden Jones on behalf of East Cowes Sports, said:
“This was a well contested, competitive game that was good to be a part of.”
East Cowes Vics coach, Graham Snow, said:
“There were lots of positives for Vics going forward. Charlie Southcott and Charlie Marsek both had good games and are pushing for a 1st team place. I felt that whichever team scored 1st was going to win the game.”
East Cowes Sports’ victory leaves them in 5th place in Division 2 with 6 points from 3 games. Vics Reserves are now in 9th place with 3 points from 3 games.
In the game-of-the-day in Island League Division 1, leaders Shanklin beat 3rd placed Brading 1-0 to go 2 points clear at the top of the table with a 100% record of 9 points from 3 games.
The scorer for Shanklin was Brian Hill. The game was marred by a hamstring injury to the Roman’s prolific scorer, Dan Vale.
2nd placed Cowes Sports Reserves beat Division 1 newcomers, Niton, 3-1 at Westwood Park after the visitors took a shock 1st minute lead.
The scorers for the Yachtsmen were Darren Williams (2) and Jake Watson. Dan Verstaeten was forced to leave the pitch for the home side after badly gashing his head.
Bembridge have now moved up to 3rd place in the Division 1 table after beating Ryde Saints 5-2 at Steyne Park.
Pan Sports lead Division 2 with 7 points from 3 games despite being held to a 2-2 draw by High Park at Downside. Wootton are in 2nd place, with an equal number of points to Pan, after beating Osborne Coburg 4-2 at Cowes Community Club. Seaview gained their first points of the season by drawing 2-2 at home to Newport Reserves and have moved off the bottom of the table.
Island League Results for Saturday 21st August 2021:
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Bembridge 5-2 Ryde Saints; Binstead & COB 0-2 Northwood St Johns; Cowes Sports Reserves 3-1 Niton Community; Shanklin 1-0 Brading Town; West Wight 1-1 Oakfield
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2: Adgestone 1-3 Yarmouth & Calbourne;East Cowes Sports 2-0 East Cowes Vics Reserves; Osborne Coburg 2-4 AFC Wootton; Pan Community 2-2 High Park; Seaview 2-2 Newport Reserves
Fixtures for Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th August 2021
All Fixtures to Kick-Off at 18:00 unless both clubs agree otherwise due to available floodlighting
Tuesday 24th August:
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Binstead & COB v Ryde Saints;Brading Town v Vectis; Niton Community v Whitecroft & Barton Sports; Northwood St Johns v Shanklin; Oakfield v Sandown & Lake; No Fixture: West Wight
Division 2: AFC Wootton v Osborne Coburg; High Park v Newchurch; Pan Community v Newport Reserves; Ventnor v Carisbrooke United; Wroxall v East Cowes Vics Reserves; Yarmouth & Calbourne v Adgestone;
Wednesday 25th August
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Bembridge v Cowes Sports Reserves
Division 2: East Cowes Sports v Seaview
