The semi-final between Vics and Newport produced the result most had predicted at Westwood Park on Tuesday evening (12th April).
Vics started the semi-final without 2 of their most influential players: defender Liam Newbold and leading scorer Jimmi Burton. James Linington was given the goalkeeper’s jersey ahead of Alex Ram. Newport were without winger Connor Kelly and full back Neo Lamb but had 2 experienced players call on if required on the substitutes bench: Scott Sampson and Jared Wetherick.
The game began with a minute’s silence to commemorate former Vics manager and player, Gerry O’Rourke, who passed away on Sunday.
The Port made their customary quick start by taking the lead after just 1 minute and 20 seconds. Vics had been awarded a free kick at the edge of the Newport penalty area, from which Joe Craig drove the ball up field, and Joe Butcher sent a powerful 20-yard shot past Jamie Linington (0-1).
The 2nd goal for the County Town club came in the 15th minute when Aaron Burford rose above the Vics defence to direct a header into the Vics goal from a Josh Younie free kick (0-2).
The Port were 3 goals to the good after half-an-hour when Joe Craig sent a near post glancing header past Linington from a Younie corner (0-3).
It took until the 38th minute of the game for Vics to have a scoring opportunity when Gary Streeter was forced to dive at the feet of Sam Cant to prevent the East Cowes side from reducing the 3-goal deficit.
Half Time: East Cowes Vics 0-3 Newport IW
The 2nd half began with a couple of worrying injuries for the County Town Club, with Spike Pearce coming off to be replaced by Liam Harper and Joe Hancott being substituted by Liam Harper. Vics also brought on 3 teenage substitutes during the 2nd half: George Terry, Toby Snow and Charlie Marsek.
It took until the 68th minute for the Port to add to their lead when centre forward Jordan Browne directed a near post header into the Vics goal from yet another superb Josh Younie corner, his 30th goal of the season so far (0-4).
The Port had further opportunities to increase their lead when first Joe Craig then Jacob Reynolds saw goal attempts trickle past Linington’s left post. However, Vics saw out the remainder of the game without conceding further.
Full time: East Cowes Vics 0-4 Newport IW
East Cowes Vics: Linington, Berry, Woodford, West, Gregory (c), Sheerin, Chapman, Hayward, Cant, Lyon, Yates Subs: Marsek, Snow, Terry (all used), Ram (gk)
Newport IW: Streeter, Hughes, Hancott, Burford, McDonough (c), Pearce, Younie, Reynolds, Browne, Craig, Butcher Subs (all used): Harper, Wetherick, Sampson
After the game, losing Vics manager Richie Woodburn frankly conceded that his team had lost to the better side, and complained that his players lacked the “big game” mind set, which he believed was something they had to work on.
For Newport, co-manager Stewart Shepherd said:
“We got a goal after 2 minutes and were 3 up by half time, so we had little motivation in the 2nd half. It was good preparation for the important games to come. I had hoped to get through the tie without any injuries, but it wasn’t to be.”
The Port will play the winners of the 2nd semi-final between Cowes Sports and W&B at Beatrice Avenue on 27th April in the final of the Gold Cup.
The final of the Junior ‘A’ Cup between Pan Community and Northwood SJ Reserves at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes, will be played this evening (13th April). Kick off is at 19;30.
In Isle of Wight Division 1 …
Brading Town 1-1 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Reigning champions W&B have increased their lead at the top of Isle of Wight Division 1 to 14 points by drawing with the Romans at Vicarage Lane. Dan Vale opened the scoring for Brading with a deflected cross, and Sam Yelland equalised for the visitors with a header 10 minutes before half time.
Never in doubt UTP