East Cowes Victoria produced an emphatic attacking display to claim a convincing Wessex Premier League victory at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon (Saturday 17th January).
With no wins so far in 2026, Vics were keen to put that right, and manager Alex Smith rotated his starting line-up, bringing in Harrison Yates, Char Hart and Liam Triggs, while Josh Neale, Caleb Neale and Toby Snow began on the bench. There was also a welcome return for Jacob Reynolds and Aedan Coode.
The visitors, Bournemouth Poppies, started brightly and took the lead after 5 minutes. A save from George Bridi fell kindly to Ethan Cheshire, who reacted quickest to fire home (0-1).
Bournemouth continued to move the ball well in the early stages, restricting Vics largely to half chances. Triggs hooked an effort wide, Yates fired over, and Cheshire tested Bridi again on 18 minutes.
Vics levelled on 21 minutes through a well-worked team move. Elliot Wheeler’s ball found Connor Kelly, who rounded the goalkeeper before finishing calmly (1-1).
Jake Adams went close for the visitors with a free kick on 27 minutes, but Bridi produced an excellent save. Five minutes later, Vics took the lead as Harrison Yates intercepted a loose ball some 30 yards out and watched it sail over the keeper into the net (2-1).
The home side began to dominate. Wheeler narrowly missed from distance, Jake Wright went close after a mazy run, and Jake Scrimshaw struck the post on 42 minutes.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 2-1 Bournemouth Poppies
Bournemouth showed intent after the break, but it was Vics who created the clearer chances. Kelly saw a free kick saved before twice going close with further efforts.
The lead was extended on 65 minutes. Josh Neale’s shot was saved by Ollie Plunkett, but the loose ball was worked back in by Caleb Neale for Yates to finish from close range for his second (3-1).
Two minutes later it was 4-1 as Caleb Neale fired home from a Scrimshaw pass. Vics continued to press and after Wright had an effort saved, he made no mistake on 76 minutes, finishing a flowing move (5-1).
Bournemouth pulled one back through Lewis Evans, but Vics had the final say. In the 90th minute, Toby Snow’s run and cross picked out Josh Neale to complete the scoring (6-2).
Full time: East Cowes Victoria 6-2 Bournemouth Poppies
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Wheeler, Yates, Newbold (c), Triggs, Chapman, Hart, Boyd-Kerr, Scrimshaw, Wright, Kelly. Subs: Coode, C Neale, Reynolds, J Neale, Snow. Man-of-the-Match: Harrison Yates
Attendance: 169
Vics rise 3 places in the Wessex Premier table to 11th, moving 2 points above local rivals Cowes Sports.
On Tuesday, the East Cowes side travel to Wiltshire to face Laverstock & Ford.
LATE DRAMA AS YACHTSMEN FALL JUST SHORT AGAINST LAVERSTOCK
Cowes Sports were left frustrated after a late rally came too late to prevent defeat against Laverstock at the Victoria Recreation Ground.
Before kick-off, Fin Phillips was presented with a trophy to mark his 300th appearance for the club, with the award handed over by Ian Potts.
Cowes started brightly and were rewarded on 33 minutes when Harry Taylor delivered a wicked corner into the box and Ryan Oatley rose highest to power a header home, putting the Yachtsmen ahead (1-0).
The visitors responded well and grew into the contest, eventually drawing level before the break with a composed finish from the edge of the area.
Half Time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Laverstock
The second half proved a tougher test for Cowes as Laverstock enjoyed longer spells of possession. The Bulldogs took the lead on 57 minutes, finding space outside the box before firing past Hatt (1-2).
Cowes pushed for an equaliser but were caught on the break in stoppage time as Laverstock added a third goal to seemingly put the game beyond reach (1-3).
There was still time for a final twist. Deep into added time, Scott McFarlane struck to pull a goal back and give the home side hope (2-3), but the comeback ended there.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 2-3 Laverstock
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Haward, Chase, Oatley, Colson, Cruttenden, Phillips, Bridi, Taylor, McFarlane. Subs: Ram (gk), Browne, Marsek, McKie, Mumford. Man-of-the-match: Ryan Oatley
Cowes remain 16th in the table and return to action on Tuesday with a trip to Hythe & Dibden.
FRIMLEY GREEN FIGHTBACK FLOORS NEWPORT
Newport returned to away action for the first time since 1st November but were left frustrated after a match that swung sharply after the interval in Surrey.
The afternoon began with player-manager Joe Butcher being presented with a trophy to mark his 500th appearance in Wessex League football, before Newport settled into a positive opening spell.
After 20 minutes, Port took the lead. Good work down the left by Matt Benford ended with a well-delivered cross, which Joe Craig headed home.
The hosts, Frimley Green, equalised 10 minutes before the break, capitalising on a poorly defended long throw to finish from close range. Newport still carried a threat, with Craig almost restoring the lead when through on goal, only for his effort to be scrambled clear.
Half Time: Frimley Green 1-1 Newport IW
Frimley Green emerged with renewed intensity in the 2nd half and, although Newport nearly went back in front when Jez Conway’s powerful strike crashed against the crossbar, the momentum soon shifted.
Port conceded a penalty, with Keelan Walsh harshly adjudged to have clipped the heel of an attacker. From there the game ran away from the men in red, with further defensive issues from long throws leading to 3 quickfire goals from the edge of the area.
Full Time: Frimley Green 5-1 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Benford, Hancott, Watterson, Holbrook, Thompsett, Craig, Grace, Conway, Walsh, Butcher. Subs: Egerton-Read, Mazambara, Linington, Weeks.
Despite the disappointment, there were positives in terms of minutes gained, and with Ji Nash expected back from injury, attention now turns to Tuesday’s trip to Blackfield.
The result leaves Newport IW 11th in Wessex Division 1.
