East Cowes Victoria, Newport and Cowes Sports all gained 3 points in the Wessex League this afternoon (Saturday).
SCOTT JONES GRABS LAST GASP WINNER FOR VICS
Man-of-the-match Scott Jones bagged a brace as Vics struggled to beat bottom side Verwood Town at Beatrice Avenue.
Manager Alex Smith welcomed back Scott Jones and Jacob Reynolds but was still missing Liam Triggs and Jordan Chapman, both with troubling knee problems.
Vics looked to have taken the lead on 5 minutes, but Aedan Coode’s header was flagged offside.
The Victorians went ahead on 13 minutes when Aedan Coode’s corner was firmly headed in by Scott Jones (1-0).
Less than a minute later, a defensive mix up let in Ivo Dinev, who lobbed Keeper Alex Ram to equalise for Verwood (1-1).
Josh Neale went clean through in the 18th minute, only to be upended by the keeper 10 yards outside of his box. The referee decided that a yellow was the punishment to the astonishment of all.
Efforts for Zak Sullivan and Aedan Coode then went off target, and a Jacob Reynolds effort was turned around the post by Verwood keeper Toby Dinnivan.
Vics captain Liam Newbold was unlucky not to have regained the lead for the home side with a header 6 minutes from half time.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 1-1 Verwood Town
The home side continued to press in the 2nd half, with Gareth Bricknell unlucky on 61 minutes, Scott Jones lobbing the keeper and striking the upright on 65 minutes, Aedan Coode having a shot blocked on 67 minutes and substitute Caleb Neale sending a 69th minute effort just over.
The Victorians had keeper Alex Ram to thank for 2 good stops on 72 and 75 minutes from the dangerous Flynn Wearden. Jones then had 2 excellent chances on 77 and 84 minutes both saved by Dinnivan. With a Jacob Reynolds header in the 86th minute just going over the bar, the game looked like ending in a draw.
However – in the 1st minute of injury time – a Harrison Yates cross was met at the far post by Scott Jones who headed home (2-1) to give Vics all 3 points.
Full time: East Cowes Victoria 2-1 Verwood Town
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Boyd-Kerr, Yates, Newbold (c), Wheeler, Sullivan, Reynolds, Coode, Jones, Bricknell, J. Neale Subs: C. Neale, Voller, Hart, Snow, Mazambara
PORT SHOCK LEAGUE LEADERS AWAY FROM HOME
3 first half goals saw Newport overcome top-of-the-table New Milton Town.
Ji Nash opened the scoring for Newport after just 2 minutes after being put through by Keelan Walsh (0-1).
7 minutes from half time, a Joe Butcher corner was cleared off the line before fortuitously falling into the path of Nash, who bagged his brace (0-2).
Luca Weeks then added a 3rd for Port on the stroke of half time, with Kai Grace the provider (0-3)
Half time: New Milton Town 0-3 Newport IW
The home side came back strongly in the 2nd half but were unable to recover from a 3-goal deficit.
Barney Stone got a goal back for New Milton in the 53rd minute (1-3).
5 minutes later, the margin was reduced to a single goal when Noel McCarthy Gardiner sent a screamer past Port keeper Pitman (2-3).
New Milton continued to press with Pearce-Eavis striking the crossbar, and Brad Snelling twice directing headers past the Port goal.
McCarthy-Gardiner struck the woodwork for a 2nd time in the final minute of the game, but Port hung on to snatch all 3 points from the league leaders.
Full time: New Milton Town 2-3 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Watterson, Thompsett, Holbrook, Butcher, Walsh, Weeks, Young, Grace, Conway, Nash Subs: Goldberg, Linington, Kirby, Arnold
After the game, New Milton Town manager Matt Maybury commented:
“It was a disappointing day. Newport ultimately deserved it.”
Newport IW FC stated (via social media):
“0-3 at half time and 2 quick goals for NM in the 2nd half but not a single head dropped. We fought for everything, and came away with a great win.
“Man-of-the-match to Keelan Walsh, but the whole team did superb.”
YACHTSMEN SINK FA VASE SEMI-FINALISTS
Cowes Sports defeated playoff place challengers Andover New Street by a 2-goal margin.
Centre forward Jordan Browne opened the scoring for the Yachtsmen after just 6 minutes by volleying the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal from just outside the penalty area (1-0).
Jared Tout-Walters then added a 2nd for the away side in the 37th minute with a back post header that resulted in his clattering into the upright (0-2).
Full time: Andover New Street 0-2 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley (c), Wright, Tout-Walters, Cook, Browne, McFarlane, Marsek Subs: Phillips, Carter-Knight, McKie, Salter
After the game, Cowes co-manager Ian Potts said:
“It was a very good performance and a brilliant result. From start to finish, the lads were superb. The work rate was unbelievable.
“The lads executed the game plan spot on. And everything we asked from them during the week, they did today. If anything, we could have scored more.
“A special mention to Jordan Browne for his 200th appearance for the club. He took his goal superbly.”
