East Cowes Victoria claimed their second successive Wessex Premier League win with a dramatic 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Christchurch at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon.
A thunderous strike from Caleb Neale and a late penalty by the ever-dangerous Connor Kelly proved decisive in a fiercely contested match.
Vics made a confident start, with Kelly immediately threatening down the flank. The winger dragged one shot wide before firing over minutes later. Charlie Hart then forced a save from Christchurch keeper Ben Rodwell in a promising move, while Jacob Reynolds struck the post only for the effort to be ruled offside.
At the other end, Sergei Ismail also carved out chances, for Christchurch, but without hitting the target. Vics were forced into a change on 40 minutes when Jamie Wright, struggling with a chest infection, was replaced by Toby Snow.
Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-0 Christchurch
The breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Caleb Neale picked up possession just outside the penalty area and unleashed a superb strike to put Vics into the lead (1-0). This capped a man-of-the-match performance for the midfielder.
Christchurch responded swiftly. Substitute Joe Freak made an instant impact, lobbing Ram with his first touch to level the scores at 1-1 in the 65th minute and maintain the intensity of a tightly contested game.
Vics refused to drop their heads, with Liam Triggs commanding at the back and captain Josh Neale continuing to lead by example. Aedan Coode forced a save from Rodwell, and Chapman fired over the crossbar as the hosts pushed forward. Reynolds, who had been booked earlier for a committed challenge, made way for Adam Voller.
A string of Vics corners followed, and tension rose further when strong appeals for handball were waved away. Justice came in the 87th minute. Kelly, whose pace and persistence had caused problems all afternoon, was brought down in the area and stepped up himself to coolly slot the penalty past Rodwell to seal victory.
Mazambara replaced Kelly in the final moments as Vics held firm for an impressive win that halted Christchurch’s 100% start to the season.
Full time: East Cowes Vics 2-1 Christchurch
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Holbrook, Wheeler, Triggs, Wright, Chapman, J. Neale (c), Hart, C. Neale, Reynolds, Kelly. Subs: Newbold, Snow, Mazambara, Coode, Voller
Man of the Match: Caleb Neale
East Cowes Vics now sit 12th in the Wessex Premier League table with 7 points from 4 games.
