VICS EDGE CLOSER TO WESSEX DIV 1 PLAYOFF PLACES AFTER LAST GASP VICTORY OVER BOTTOM CLUB

East Cowes Vics beat New Milton through a goal late in injury time at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon (Saturday). Before the game, the East Cowes side were confident of victory against a side who have had yet to win in the season to date, picking up a mere 2 points from their 21 games. 1 over-confident Vics fan had predicted a 9-0 win against the Wessex Division 1 whipping boys on social media before kick off. However, New Milton showed resilience against the Isle of Wight promotion hopefuls. Vics dominated the 1st half, but it took until the 44th minute for Ji Nash to open the scoring for the home side when the No11 found himself unmarked in the penalty area with a simple job to poke the ball home (1-0). Half time: East Cowes Vics 1-0 New Milton Town The Beatrice Avenue Boys’ hopes of an easy 3 points were dashed when New Milton equalised through a 62nd minute spot kick after Harri Taylor had brought down Ford in the Vics penalty area (1-1). Vics’ chances of taking all 3 points were made easier when New Milton’s Cooper was dismissed in the 77th minute, and they faced only 10 men. Despite numerous scoring opportunities, it appeared the chances of a home win were slipping from Vics’ grasp when a Jez Conway free kick was only parried by the New Milton keeper in the 2nd minute of injury time, and substitute Brad Young knocked in the rebound to the jubilation of the 130 supporters present at Beatrice Avenue (2-1). Full time: East Cowes Vics 2-1 New Milton Town East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Chase, Taylor, Chapman, Boyd-Kerr, Conway, Marsek, Nash Subs: Young, Mumford, Neale, Voller, Berry After the game, manager Alex Smith said:

“We’re delighted with the result. Obviously, there were a number of parts of the performance that required improvement, but New Milton made it difficult for us, staying well organised and digging deep. “In the end, we got what we deserved and won the game late on for the 2nd time in seven days. I think the late, scruffy wins are testament to the spirit of the group. “They’re the moments when the benefits of the training sessions, extra fitness work and general togetherness and buy-in from the group really shows itself and makes a difference.”

Vics are now level on points with 2 other clubs – Fleetlands and Cove – with 45 points from 24 games. However, Cove are ahead of 6th-placed Vics on goal difference.

YACHTSMEN BECALMED IN RACE FOR PLAYOFF PLACE

Cowes Sports lost for the 3rd time in a row after being being beaten by Sherborne Town by the only goal of the game. Before kick off, manager Max Draper received the club-of-the-month trophy for December in recognition of the Yachtsmen’s long 9-game unbeaten run. However, many managers regard such awards as ‘the kiss of death’ – and so it proved this Saturday. Cowes dominated the early stages of the contest, with Connor Kelly creating numerous chances for the home side. But it was Sherborne who took the lead in the 24th minute through Ollie Hebbard, who 1st had a shot saved by Ed Hatt, then a goal stopped on the line by Liam Triggs before finally getting the ball into the back of the net at the 3rd attempt (0-1). The Yachtsmen had numerous 1st half scoring opportunities – with chances falling to Hancott, McFarlane and Kelly – but went into the half time break trailing by a single goal.

Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 New Milton Town The 2nd half began with yet more opportunities for an equalising goal, with Colson having a shot blocked and Kelly missing the target with a volley. The closest the Yachtsmen came to getting back on level terms was in the 65th minute, when a corner was headed off the goal line and onto the crossbar by a Sherborne defender. Frustration with being unable to produce the final product despite having the bulk of the possession, corners, and shots blocked led to a booking for dissent for manager Max Draper. Cowes finished the game with 10 men after White was given a 2nd yellow for a mistimed sliding tackle in the 3rd minute of injury time.

Full time: Cowes Sports 0-1 New Milton Town Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, West, Triggs, Oatley (c), Hancott, Colson, Neale (Salter ’78), Carter-Knight (Cook ’55), McFarlane, Kelly Subs (unused): Benford, Fever-Norton After the game, the Yachtsmen said (on X):

“A very frustrating game with a lot of possession and play into the box; we just couldn’t be clinical.”

Cowes Sports remain in 7th place in the Wessex Premier, 2 points behind 5th-placed Portland United – who lost 3-2 at Baffins Milton Rovers – but with 2 games in hand.

PORT LOSE TO DIV 1’S STRONGEST SIDE: HAMWORTHY REC

Newport were beaten in Dorset by undefeated Hamworthy Recreation. The Port’s opponents began the game on the front foot with keeper Leon Pitman forcing an early effort onto the crossbar. Hamworthy took the lead in the 26th minute through Chris Long (1-0). The home side then added a 2nd 8 minutes later with a quality strike from Ben Cooper (2-0), to go into the 2nd half with a 2-goal advantage. Newport had scoring opportunities in the 2nd half, with Jordan Browne forcing Hamworthy keeper Matty Fredericks into a desperate save in the 54th minute. Fredericks then parried a Joe Butcher free kick that appeared destined for the top right corner of the goal. However, the Port were unable to break down a hard working and well organised Hamworthy side and returned to the Isle of Wight without a point for their tireless efforts. Full time: Hamworthy Recreation 2-0 Newport (IW) Newport (IW): Pitman, Page, Thompsett, Watterson, McDonough (c), West, Butcher, Oatley, Browne, Walsh, Myram Subs: Parsons, Streeter (gk), Darlaston-Jones, Bristow, Sayers Newport remain in 16th place in Wessex Division 1 with 25 points from 20 games and have 5 games in hand on the team immediately above: Verwood Town.