Island football endured a difficult Saturday as all 3 Wessex League sides – Cowes Sports, East Cowes Victoria and Newport – experienced heavy losses.
YACHTSMEN OUTCLASSED BY ZEBRAS AT WESTWOOD PARK
Cowes Sports were beaten by Sherborne Town on Saturday 11th April as the Zebras struck 4 goals.
Sherborne threatened as early as the 6th minute when their striker attempted to lob Hatt, only to see the effort drift wide. Cowes were then dealt an early blow on 14 minutes as Bridi was forced off through injury, with Long introduced in his place.
The breakthrough came on 28 minutes when Oliver Hebbard weaved past 2 defenders, rounded Hatt and calmly rolled the ball into an empty net (0-1).
Half Time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Sherborne Town
Sherborne doubled their advantage on 58 minutes through Brad Shepard (0-2), before adding a 3rd just 6 minutes later as Cowes struggled to contain the visitors’ attacking threat (0-3).
Cowes had a chance to respond on 74 minutes when Cooch broke through on goal, but his angled effort was well saved.
The Zebras completed the scoring on 88 minutes when George Geraghty finished well, with Joe Crisp involved in the move, capping a dominant display (0-4).
Full Time: Cowes Sports 0-4 Sherborne Town
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, S Backshall, Chase, Oatley (c), Colson, Dempsey, Phillips, Bridi, St John Biggs, Mumford. Subs: Long, Hiorns, Cooch, Colson, Mumford, Dowes Man-of-the-match: Hughes
Cowes Sports remain 13th in the Wessex Premier with 40 points from 36 games, 3 points ahead of East Cowes Victoria with 2 games remaining.
VICS HAMMERED BY PLAY-OFF CHASING ANS DESPITE URRY STRIKE
East Cowes Victoria were beaten by Andover New Street (ANS) on Saturday 11th April as the play-off chasing hosts proved too strong for the #East Cowes side.
The Vics found themselves on the back foot early on against Andover New Street, with the hosts making a fast and clinical start.
The opening goal arrived on 12 minutes when Malachi Dotse finished smartly from close range after a well-delivered cross from Lock (1-0). Just moments later, Shane Lock struck from a tight angle following good build-up play involving Bowden and Thatcher to double the advantage (2-0).
ANS continued to press and added a 3rd on 33 minutes, with Dotse grabbing his 2nd of the game as he ran through and slotted past the keeper (3-0).
Half Time: Andover New Street 3-0 East Cowes Victoria
Any hopes of a comeback were ended on 56 minutes when Ronan Clancy capitalised on persistent pressure to add a 4th (4-0).
To their credit, the Vics did respond, and Char Urry produced a fine strike from distance to pull 1 back late on (4-1).
Full Time: Andover New Street 4-1 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Law, Boyd-Kerr, Yates, Wheeler, Triggs (c), Chapman, J Neale, Kirby, C Neale, Urry, Hart. Subs: Foster, Wright, Newbold, O’Neil, Pitman.
The Vics remain 14th with 37 points from 36 games, 3 points behind Cowes Sports ahead of their trip to Christchurch.
EXHAUSTED NEWPORT FALL TO ALDERMASTON AS PLAY-OFF HOPES FADE
Newport were beaten by Aldermaston as a demanding fixture schedule took its toll on the Island side.
Newport’s punishing run of fixtures showed signs of catching up with them as they travelled to Aldermaston just 36 hours after Thursday night’s disappointment.
Still feeling aggrieved after being denied at least a point midweek, Newport arrived at a venue that has historically offered little return. A bone-dry, bobbly surface and a strong, swirling wind made fluent football difficult throughout.
Neither side truly adapted to the conditions, with heavy touches and misplaced passes a feature of a scrappy opening period. The breakthrough came from a routine free-kick, which found the Newport back post unattended, allowing a simple header to make it (1-0).
Half Time: Aldermaston 1-0 Newport
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the game lacking rhythm. As Newport’s energy levels visibly dropped, Aldermaston capitalised on a hesitant defensive clearance to double their lead (2-0).
A late penalty added further gloss to the scoreline, giving the hosts a 3-goal margin that arguably flattered them (3-0).
Full Time: Aldermaston 3-0 Newport
Newport: Pitman, Thompsett, Lamb, Benford, Watterson, Grace, Linington, Craig, Butcher, Mazambara, Nash. Subs: Egerton-Read, Hancott, Ballinger, Young, Walsh.
Newport remain on 67 points from 36 games but now sit 9 points behind the play-off places, leaving their promotion hopes in tatters with 4 games remaining.
