2 second half goals from Jacob Reynolds saw Vics take all 3 points from their visit to Cove this afternoon (Saturday).
Vics travelled to Cove on the back of a defeat and a draw. This game was never going to be easy against February’s Wessex Division 1 team of the month.
Manager Alex Smith again had to make changes, with Liam Triggs still out injured, Scott Jones and Caleb Neale unavailable and Jordan Chapman suspended. There was a welcome return for Harrison Yates, who had been away on vacation.
The 1st half was a drab affair, with Vics’ only effort a long range shot from Zak Sullivan that was wide of the target. Cove huffed and puffed but were unable to break down a resolute Vics defence, with keeper Fraser Law only having to make one save of any note.
Half time: Cove 0-0 East Cowes Victoria
Manager Alex Smith’s half time talk pepped up his side, as they came out to start the 2nd half with a spring in their step. Smith made a single change – Jacob Reynolds on for Morgan Perrin.
The 2nd half began with efforts from Harrison Yates and Aedan Coode that were not quite accurate but showed that Vics were hungry for the points. Toby Snow made a great run and cross on 53 minutes which was begging for a touch at the far post, but the ball eluded desperately stretched legs for the finish.
Cove came close to taking the lead in the 54th minute when their young winger sent a shot sailing over the crossbar from a position where it appeared impossible to miss.
Vics supporters often chant “feed the Yak and he will score” and so it proved this afternoon.
The Beatrice Avenue boys took a deserved lead on 77 minutes after Harrison Yates’ long throw fell to Jacob Reynolds, whose shot on the turn slammed into the roof of the net before the Cove keeper could move (0-1).
Jacob Reynolds (Yak) then bagged his brace in the 1st minute of time added on with a powerful strike across the keeper (0-2), ensuring Vics returned across the Solent with all 3 points.
Full time: Cove 0-2 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Law, Snow, Yates, Newbold (c), Wheeler, Perrin, Sullivan, Boyd-Kerr, Bricknell, Coode, J. Neale Subs: Hart, Voller, Reynolds, Snaith, Turner
The Victorians remain 4th in Wessex Division 1 with 57 points from 27 games, 14 points above their closest challenger for a playoff position (Ringwood Town) but 14 points below Wessex Division 1 leaders New Milton Town.
On Tuesday (4th March) Vics take on 17th-placed Folland Sports at Beatrice Avenue.
YACHTSMEN BECALMED AT ZILCH WASTE STADIUM
Cowes Sports were held to a goalless draw by Sherborne Town in an evenly matched game at the Zilch Waste Stadium (Westwood Park).
The Yachtsmen began well with Harrison Dempsey putting the ball in the back of the net in the 22nd minute only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
3 minutes later, Jordan Browne came close to giving the home side the lead but slipped when presented with a scoring opportunity by Jared Tout-Walters.
The Yachtsman had further scoring opportunities in the 2nd half, with Tout-Walters denied by a last-ditch tackle in the 58th minute and Callum Chase shooting inches wide in the 57th.
Cowes came closest to taking the lead in the 70th minute when substitute John McKie struck the upright.
Sherborne were then denied the 3 points by a magnificent save from Cowes keeper Hatt 6 minutes from the final whistle.
Full time: Cowes Sports 0-0 Sherborne Town
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley (c), Phillips, Tout-Walters, Cook, Browne, Wright, Marsek Subs: McKie, Carter-Knight, Myram, Wolstenholme, Fever-Norton
The draw leaves Cowes Sports 13th in the Wessex Premier with 34 points from 28 games.
The Yachtsmen next travel to Brockenhurst on Tuesday evening.
NEWPORT VANQUISHED AT VERWOOD
Newport’s search for some much needed confidence and points suffered another set back on the road today when failing to overturn another 2-goal deficit – this time to bottom-of-the-table Verwood Town.
Newport’s injury crisis continues and the loss of Brad Young meant that they had to reshuffle and play some players out of position.
Like last week against Fleetlands, Port were worthy of a point based mainly on their dominant 2nd half performance and having the game’s most threatening player Kai Grace dominating down the right flank.
Port player-of-the-match Keelan Walsh had an industrious 90 minutes, and George Holbrook thrived in the physical battle but received a yellow card for what appeared a good tackle.
Chances fell to Joe Butcher (twice), and then deep into injury time Ji Nash saw a free header 6 yards out held by the keeper. If he’d put it a foot either side, the net would gave bulged.
Newport won numerous corners and went forward constantly, but on a bobbly pitch it wasn’t the day for precise passing football; it was about winning individual battles and defending your box. Newport did the former throughout the 2nd half; the latter they failed to do twice early in the 1st half, and this was to prove fatal.
In an even opening 10 minutes, neither side found their range; however, from a corner, Newport failed to win the 2nd ball, and it was tapped in from close range (1-0).
The 2nd goal followed soon after. A rasping right foot drive beat Port keeper Pitman and struck his right post, and the Verwood striker was the first player to react to the rebound, smashing it into an empty net (2-0).
Newport responded with a Ji Nash strike in the 64th minute (2-1).
After their 2 goals, Verwood rarely threatened, were pinned in for long periods and were happy to clear it anywhere as they were desperate to hold onto the 3 points.
Full time: Verwood 2-1 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Grace, Thompsett, Lamb, Watterson (c), Holbrook, Nash, West, Conway, Butcher, Walsh Subs: Catania, Weeks, McDonough
Newport’s defeat leaves them 8th in Wessex division 1 with 42 points from 29 games.
Newport next play away at Totton-and-Eling on Tuesday evening.
