PRE-SEASON: LACKLUSTRE YACHTSMEN SCRAPE PAST VICS AT WESTWOOD PARK WITH LATE JEZ CONWAY STRIKE

Wessex Premier Cowes Sports beat Wessex Division 1 East Cowes Vics in a pre-season derby at Westwood Park on Tuesday evening courtesy of a 90th minute Jez Conway strike. The Yachtsmen have significantly strengthened their side for the 2024/25 campaign, largely at the expense of their rivals on the east bank of the Medina. East Cowes Vics captain Callum Chase, strikers Jez Conway and Charlie Marsek, as well as midfield playmaker Jake Wright have all made their way to Westwood Park, together with former Newport defender Ryan Hughes. Only 1 Cowes player has crossed the river in the opposite direction – striker Caleb Neale, who has joined his twin brother Josh at Beatrice Avenue. Vics were far from outclassed by their higher league opponents, forcing a succession 1st half corners. The East Cowes side were competitive throughout the game and sometimes overly so, with Ryan Hughes forced off the pitch at the end of the 1st half through a reckless challenge to be replaced by Brandon Hayward. However, there were few scoring opportunities for either side. Half time: Cowes Sports 0-0 East Cowes Victoria

The Yachtsmen brought on their ‘big guns’ for the 2nd half, with Connor Kelly, Scott McFarlane, Jez Conway and John McKie all coming on to the field of play. However, the home side were unable to break down a well organised and combative Vics side until the final minute of the game. Jackman had a good scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute after being put in a promising position by Kelly but sent his effort just past the upright. Jez Conway set up McFarlane to score on the hour mark, but he sent the ball flashing past the right post. At the other end of the pitch, Vics had a 57th minute penalty appeal resulting from a Callum Chase tackle turned down by the referee. The deadlock was finally broken in the 90th minute when Jez Conway curled the ball past Vics substitute keeper Fraser Law.

Full time: Cowes Sports 1-0 East Cowes Victoria Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, Hughes, Triggs, Oatley, Chase, Cook, Wright, Phillips (c), Carter Knight, Mumford Subs: Hayward, McKie. McFarlane, Jackman, Conway, Kelly East Cowes Vics: Ram, Kirby, Yates, Newbold, Holdsworth, Chapman, Reynolds, Boyd-Kerr, C. Neale, J. Neale, Voller Subs: Hart, Law (gk), Berry, j. Yates, Sullivan This Saturday, Cowes Sports take on Isthmian League Broadridge Heath at Westwood Park with kick off at 14:00. Vics travel to Hampshire Premier Paulsgrove.