East Cowes Vics remain 3rd-from-bottom after defeat away to Wessex Division 1 leaders New Milton Town on Tuesday evening (18th October).
Vics travelled to the New Forest without several 1st team regulars: Sam Cant, Aiden White, Coner Lyon, Jared Cousins, Harrison Yates and Ant Kettell. Injury to powerful centre forward Sam Cant has left Vics lacking a cutting edge up front.
However, Vics could feel aggrieved by some of the refereeing decisions on the evening. It was 2 controversial penalty decisions led to Vics falling 2 goals behind.
First, the Linnets took the lead in the 38th minute when Ben Cooper was adjudged to have been brought down brought down in the penalty area by Vics keeper Alex Ram. Linnet’s captain Cooper calmly converted the resulting penalty (1-0).
Then – 2 minutes after the halftime interval – the ball hit the arm of defender Harrison Berry. The referee blew for a spot kick, which was again converted by Captain Cooper (2-0)
Luckless Vics went 3 down shortly before the hour mark, when a deflected shot from Luke Stone bounced in off the post (3-0).
However, at this point in the game, New Milton were lucky not to have had 2 of their players sent off. First, Henry West was forced off the pitch with concussion after being elbowed in the face. Then, Keelan Walsh was bundled over by a push to the throat on the touchline, but only a yellow card was given.
Referee Stephen Fall made a further error when he booked Jordan Chapman for a foul when the offender had been Vics captain Liam Newbold.
The Linnets added insult to injury with a late Callum Butler goal deep into stoppage time (4-0).
Full time: New Milton Town 4-0 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Walsh, Woodford, Berry, West (Evans), Newbold (c), Chapman, Snow, Haylor (Tuckey), Calvert, Marsek
After the game, Vics manager Richie Woodburn said:
“We lost to 2 dubious penalties, the 3rd goal that was a deflection that went in off the post, and a late stoppage time goal.
“We had 9 regulars unavailable, and Aiden White did not even play. They should have had 2 players sent off: poor officiating the difference. I feel for my lads. They did not deserve that tonight. It was hardly a thumping.”
Defeat leaves Vics 3rd-from-bottom in Wessex Division 1 with 8 points from 10 games.
New Milton are top-of-the-league with 26 points from 13 games, just 5 points ahead of 5th-placed Newport, who have 5 games in hand.
Henry West was taken to St Mary’s Hospital suffering from concussion on his return to the Island. His condition is believed to be improving.
