Goals at the death secured Wessex League wins for Newport IW and East Cowes Vics yesterday afternoon (Saturday).
Newport, who were 4th in the Divison One table at the start of play, huffed and puffed against a resilient Totton & Eling, with it looking like the spoils were going to be shared as the full-time whistle approached at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
But minutes from the 90-minute mark, a blatant handball in the Totton penalty area gave Port the chance to claim all 3 points. Up stepped top goalscorer Ji Nash who smashed the ball past the Totton keeper to give Newport the victory.
Joe Butcher’s side, who have a rare midweek off, remain in 4th place with 25 points from 13 league games.
In the Premier Division, a hat-trick of Josh Neale headers gave East Cowes Vics the win away at Hythe & Dibden.
Alex Smith’s side twice came from behind to level the game at 2-2, before Neale dispatched an Aedan Coode cross in the 94th minute to win the game for Vics.
The win moves Vics above their cross-Medina rivals into 12th place with 13 points from 11 games.
Vics welcome Baffins Milton Rovers to Beatrice Avenue on Tuesday night in the Russell Cotes Cup.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Cowes Sports continued their poor run of form with a 4-1 away loss at Andover New Street.
The Yachtsmen found themselves 2-0 down after 35 minutes and despite a Scott McFarlane stunner were 3-1 down at half-time.
Cowes tightened up in the second half but Street further consolidated the victory with a 4th goal in added time.
After the game, Cowes joint-manager Mark Woodhouse said:
“You don’t lose games 4-1 and play better that the other team. That doesn’t happen.
“We weren’t unlucky or anything, we lost the game, it’s as simple as that.
We are worried about the goals but we aren’t worried about the dressing room, the lads are a fantastic group.”
Next weekend Cowes welcome Downton, who sit directly below them in the table, to the Isle of Wight.
In the Island League…
W&B remain unbeaten in Harwoods Divsion One following a comfortable 5-0 victory over bottom club Osborne Coburg at Sandy Lane.
A Harry Green hat-trick and further goals from Dan Pearson and Fin Kalaker secured the points for W&B who remain 2nd in the table, level on points with leaders West Wight who have played a game more.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 25th October
Hampshire Vase
East Cowes Victoria Reserves 4-1 Shanklin Reserves
Division 1
High Park P-P Bembridge & Vectis
Northwood SJ 3-2 Oakfield
Ventnor 4-0 Shanklin
West Wight 2-2 Brading Town
W&B 5-0 Osborne Coburg
Division 2
Newport Reserves 7-5 Pan Community
Sandown & Lake 0-0 ECS
Seaview 0-4 Newchurch
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 4-3 West Wight Reserves
High Park Reserves 4-1 Sandown & Lake Reserves
Oakfield Reserves 1-6 W&B Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves 1-7 W&B Reserves
Combination 2
Binstead & COB Reserves 2-0 Sandpwn & Lake A
Newchurch Reserves 0-3 Ryde Saints Reserves
Ventnor A 4-0 Oakfield A
West Wight A 0-1 High Park A
