Brading Town beat East Cowes Vics Development in the 1st Round of the Island Echo Challenge Cup at Cowes Enterprise College.
This was the only game on the Isle of Wight to survive the weather, as it was played on an artificial pitch.
Experienced Brading were able to call on the services of Wessex League Matt Oatley from Newport FC, thanks to his game being one of those lost to the inclement weather.
Brading had the 1st chance of the game when a Nathan Betts overhead kick from a Dan Vale corner flew over after just a minute’s play. It took until the 16th minute for Vics’ 1rst attempt on target through Sam Kirby.
In the 28th minute, an incisive run from Olly Carey ended with Aidan Sheerin having a great shot saved by Brading’s keeper Harry Mitchell. 9 minutes later, Vics took the lead after Jayden Yates was brought down in the area. The striker dusted himself off and he dispatched the penalty into the back of the net (1-0).
Just as it seemed that the interval would come with Vics ahead, Betts got free on the left hand side of the area and sent over a perfect cross for Vale to head not only the ball but the far post in his efforts to equalize (1-1).
There was still time for Yates to see his shot saved by the legs of Mitchell before the whistle came for half time.
Half time: East Cowes Vics Development 1-1 Brading Town
The Romans took the lead 9 minutes after the break when an Oatley corner found the head of Kayton Warrington at the far post (1-2).
Going a goal down motivated Vics, and 4 minutes later, an Isaac Glynn pass found Kade Woodford, whose shot was only parried by Mitchell to the feet of Charlie Haward to tuck home (2-2).
Then, in 2 manic minutes, Brading scored twice. The first came through Matt Oatley, who sent a shot from the edge of the area past Kayton Evans in the Vics goal (2-3) to be followed closely by Aaron Bennett who tucked home a James Garrett cross (2-4).
Vics did not capitulate and lose their confidence and continued to attack. With 10 minutes of the game remaining, a Glynn pass found James Turner on the edge of the area, and his rasping shot flew past Mitchell, to make the final few minutes interesting (3-4).
Despite further efforts from both sides, it was Brading who booked their place in the 2nd round. Experience beat youth, but the young Vics team can take heart from their performance by matching established players.
Full time: East Cowes Vics Development 3-4 Brading Town
East Cowes Vics: Evans, Carey, Woodford, Turner (c), McNaney, Jackman, Johnson, Sheerin, Yates, Kirby, Turner, Hart, Haward, Glynn
Brading Town: Mitchell, Keetch, Lomas, Warrington, Knowles, L. Bennett, Garrett, Shaw, A Bennett, Vale, Hutchinson, Bett, Smith, Oatley
Report written with kind assistance of Nick Mattocks
