ISLE OF WIGHT WESSEX FOOTBALL ROUND UP: 10-MAN VICS MAKE A POINT AGAINST LEAGUE LEADERS HAMWORTHY REC

East Cowes Vics salvaged a point against league leaders Hamworthy Recreation despite twice falling behind and playing the last 30 minutes with just 10 men. The start of the fixture was delayed by half-an-hour after Hamworthy missed the midday ferry due to an incident on the A31. The game began with a minute’s applause for long standing supporter Antonio Ortiz, who sadly passed away. Vics had not played a league game for 3 weeks, and this would prove a tough test against a Hamworthy side sitting well clear at the top of the league, having only dropped points in 1 game in the season to date. The East Cowes outfit started on the front foot, with chances for Ji Nash and Toby Snow in the first 5 minutes. Hamworthy opened the scoring against the run of play, when a controversial free kick was awarded just outside the penalty area. Vics keeper Alex Ram could only parry the goal attempt, but the ball fell to Harvey Doe, who smashed it into the net from close range (0-1). Alex made amends 3 minutes later with a great save after a Harrison Yates clearance went astray. Vics came close to equalizing, but chances for Josh Neale, Ji Nash and Jordan Chapman all failed to hit the target.

Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-1 Hamworthy Recreation

The 2nd half began with Toby Snow picking up a yellow card for a poor challenge. Vics levelled the scores in the 50th minute, when Jacob Reynolds beat a defender before calmly slotting the ball past the Hamworthy keeper (1-1). However, the table toppers found themselves in front again within 5 minutes when a header put through an offside Eddie Hodge, the officials waved play on, and the ball was put away beautifully by the Hamworthy striker (1-2). Young full back Toby Snow was red carded in the 66th minute, but a minute later, captain Callum Chase hit an unstoppable shot high into the corner of the Hamworthy goal (2-2). Vics now had to battle and scrap for every single ball to retain their point as Hamworthy – a man to the good – pushed for the winner. A magnificent save in the 98th minute from Vics keeper Alex Ram denied the Hamworthy side all 3 points, as the Beatrice Avenue boys deservedly held their top-of-the-table rivals for a draw.

Full time: East Cowes Vics 2-2 Hamworthy Recreation East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Chase (c) (Berry ’90), Chapman, Reynolds (Mumford ’74), Boyd-Kerr, Neale (Young ’70), Coode (Kirby ’90), Nash (Woodford ’85) After the game, the consensus of the Hamworthy Recreation supporters was that Vics were the toughest opponents they had faced in the season to date. Vics manager Alex Smith said:

“It was an excellent team performance, from Alex in goal, right through to the lads who came off the bench and performed well. “On one hand, I’m sure most neutrals would say that a draw was a fair result and to a certain extent I’d agree, but there were a couple of key moments which removed our chance to win the game: their 2nd goal being given when it was a long way offside and the red card. “The red seemed harsh to most, but Toby probably just got caught on the wrong side and even the very slightest contact is going to be a yellow in that situation, even when it’s so far from goal. “He’ll learn from it and if he continues to improve as he has been so far, there’s not doubt he’ll become a top, top player. “For me, we dominated the first half; organisationally, tactically and with our energy levels – only a lapse of concentration on a set piece leading to their goal. “At half time, we weren’t talking about grabbing the draw – we were talking about winning the game. Obviously, them being gifted an offside goal stopped that from happening and, in the end, the boys did well to dig deep with 10 men and get us over the line for a well-earned point.”

Vics’ draw leaves the East Cowes side in 10th place in Wessex Division 1 with 23 points from 13 matches but with games in hand over all the teams above them. On Tuesday, Vics travel to Southampton to face 5th-placed Millbrook. Report compiled with kind assistance of Russ Chapman.

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TOTTON & ELING 2-1 NEWPORT (IOW)

In the other Wessex League game featuring an Isle of Wight club, Newport lost to 6th-placed Totton & Eling by the best of 3 goals. The Millers took the lead in the 24th minute when Ryan Batley headed in a corner for the home side (1-0). Joe Butcher equalized for the Port on the stroke of half time (1-1). Half time: Totton & Eling 1-1 Newport (IoW)  The Port were handed a lifeline when the Millers’ No 11 was shown a straight red early in the 2nd half for a bad challenge on McDonough. Despite playing with 10 men, Totton regained the lead through a Remus Nixon header – again from a corner (2-1). The Port were themselves reduced to 10 men after Josh Younie was red carded for dissent. The County Town club were unlucky not to salvage a point when a goal attempt from Nicky Vyse was deflected onto the crossbar. Full time: Totton & Eling 2-1 Newport (IoW)  Newport (IoW): Pitman, West, McDonough, Catania, Walsh, Oatley, Watterson, Myram, Butcher, Vyse, Younie Subs: Pearce, Bristow Port’s defeat leaves them in 17th place in Wessex Division 1 with 14 points from 13 games.