Twins Josh and Caleb Neale created double trouble for their opponents as both scored in Vics’ opening win against Hamworthy United at Beatrice Avenue in Wessex Division 1. It has been a good start of the season for Isle of Wight Wessex League sides, who have all remained unbeaten in the 5 games they have played to date. The game started tentatively, with both sides unable to create a real opening. The nearest came after 16 minutes – Josh Neale just missing the target after a great move. Efforts from Adam Voller and Jacob Reynolds were dealt with by the Hammers’ defence. Josh Neale’s goal attempt on 33 minutes was saved but a minute later, Hamworthy took the lead after a great run from Josh Malpas, which saw the striker send a low cross to Bailey Rowe, who smashed the ball high into the net (0-1). Vics’ equaliser came in the 42nd minute. A powerful strike from Jacob Reynolds was deflected into the path of Caleb Neale, who slotted home from 3 yards out (1-1). Half time: East Cowes Vics 1-1 Hamworthy United The 2nd half was a cagey affair, with both sides desperately protecting their 18-yard boxes. Caleb Neale sent an effort sailing over the crossbar in the 51st minute; Elliott Wheeler made a crucial last ditch block in the 55th minute. It seemed the game would fizzle out into a draw. However, with 90 minutes on the clock, Vics substitute Aedan Coode slotted a perfect pass to Josh Neale, whose toe poke went under the Hamworthy keeper before nestling in the back of the net (2-1). Hamworthy threw everything forward in the remaining 7 minutes of injury time, but Vics’ defence proved strong enough to keep all 3 points on the Island. Full time: East Cowes Vics 2-1 Hamworthy United East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, H.Yates, Wheeler, Newbold, Chapman, Reynolds, Boyd-Kerr, J. Neale, C. Neale, Voller Subs: J. Yates, Sullivan, Perrin, Hart, Coode On Tuesday (13th August), Vics travel to Westleigh Park to face Clanfield with kick off at 19:30.
ASH UNITED 1-2 NEWPORT IW
The Port have maintained their 100% record in the season to date after a last gasp win against Ash United in Surrey. Newport dominated the 1st half without finding the back of the net. Jamie Wright tormented the Ash defence at the start of the game before picking up a booking. The Port were denied a goal from a corner in the 34th minute by the upright; Leon Pitman was forced to make a superb save to deny Ash. Half time: Ash United 0-0 Newport IW Port began the 2nd half with the Ash keeper pulling off a good stop to deny Kai Grace. The breakthrough for the away side came in the 67th minute with Harri Catania coolly sliding the ball through the Ash keeper’s legs (0-1). Thompsett came close to extending Port’s lead but had an effort cleared off the goal line. Reece Probert then pulled a goal back for the home side with 15 minutes remaining (1-1). The game was settled in injury time by means a back post header from Port defender Michael Thompsett (1-2). The contest ended in a bad tempered manner with both sides clashing, leading to red card for the home side and a yellow for Harri Catania. Full time: Ash United 1-2 Newport IW Newport IW: Pitman, West, Thompsett, Young, Watterson, Holbrook, Oatley, Younie, Wright, Catania, Grace Subs: Grandvoinet, Myram, Barron, Walsh, Goldberg The Port have been knocked off top spot in Wessex Division 1 by New Milton Town on goal difference but remain 2nd with a full 6 points from 2 games.
COWES SPORTS 1-1 HAMWORTHY RECREATION
In the Wessex Premier, the Yachtsmen were held at home by newly promoted Hamworthy Recreation. Cowes began on the front foot with George Carter-Knight striking the crossbar from 25 yards in the 9th minute. 7 minutes later, the Hamworthy keeper was forced to make a save with his foot to deny Will Bridi. Ed Hatt then had to make a vital save for the home side by tipping the ball over the crossbar. Disaster struck Cowes 7 minutes from the half time break with a low 35-yard strike from Chris Long putting the away side into the lead (0-1). The Yachtsmen were lucky not to go into the half time break trailing by 2 goals when Hamworthy were awarded a penalty that was saved by Cowes keeper Ed Hatt. Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Hamworthy Recreation The Yachtsmen pulled a goal back 9 minutes into the 2nd half when Will Bridi poked a Jared Tout header past the Hammers’ keeper on the 6-yard line (1-1). Jake Wright came close to putting Cowes into the lead on the hour mark but somehow had his effort knocked over the crossbar by the visiting side’s keeper. McFarlane also had a scoring opportunity diverted past the upright by the Hamworthy goalkeeper. The game ended in controversy with a red card for the away side after their winger kicked out at Cowes captain Fin Phillips. Full time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Hamworthy Recreation Cowes Sports: Hatt, Tout, Dempsey, Triggs, Hughes, McFarlane, Cook, Wright, Phillips (c), Carter-Knight, W. Bridi Subs: Marsek, McKie, Mumford, Wykes, Jackman The draw leaves the Yachtsmen in 11th place in the Wessex Premier with 2 points from 2 games. On Tuesday, Cowes Sports travel to AFC Portchester with kick off at 19:30.
