East Cowes Vics continued their strong league form with a hard-fought win over Andover New Street at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon.
After the highs of 2 recent league victories and the disappointment of a midweek Russell Cotes Cup defeat, Vics boss Alex Smith called for a big response against last season’s FA Vase semi-finalists – and he got exactly that.
Vics started brightly and pressed high from the outset. Early chances fell to Caleb Neale and George Holbrook before Jake Scrimshaw went close with a spectacular overhead kick that flew just wide of the target on nine minutes.
Josh Neale was next to threaten, hitting the side netting after 16 minutes, before testing Andover keeper Heath Bartram again 5 minutes later. Bartram spilled the shot but recovered quickly to deny Scrimshaw from close range.
The pressure finally told on 25 minutes when a neat move involving Connor Kelly and Neale set up Jake Scrimshaw, who fired home from a tight angle to give Vics a deserved lead.
Scrimshaw almost doubled his tally just 2 minutes later, spotting Bartram off his line and forcing the keeper into a desperate save from 35 yards.
As the first half drew to a close, heavy rain turned the surface into a quagmire, making conditions difficult for both sides.
Half Time: East Cowes Vics 1 Andover New Street 0
Before the restart, the officials inspected the pitch and allowed play to continue, warning that any further rainfall could see the game abandoned. Despite the sodden surface, both teams adapted well, with some strong challenges flying in across the park.
Andover began to grow into the game after the hour mark, and Jake Rawkins went close on 62 minutes when his powerful effort struck the crossbar.
Vics dug deep, with Jordan Chapman superb in midfield and the defence holding firm. At the other end, Liam Triggs saw his goalbound header deflected wide for a corner on 81 minutes as Vics looked to seal the result.
Andover pushed forward late on, but their best chance came to Marcel Laptas, whose shot was comfortably gathered by Bridi in the Vics goal.
Vics managed the closing stages well to secure all three points against a talented Andover side, maintaining their impressive home form in front of an appreciative Beatrice Avenue crowd.
Full Time: East Cowes Vics 1 Andover New Street 0
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Holbrook, Kelly, Newbold (c), Triggs, Chapman, C. Neale, Wright, Scrimshaw, J. Neale, Hart Subs: Coode, Voller, Wragg, Reynolds, Dyer Man-of-the-Match: Jordan Chapman
Victory for the Victorians sees the East Cowes side rise to 12th in the Wessex Premier with 16 points from 12 games.
PITMAN SCUPPERS YACHTSMEN IN COWES
A brace from ex-Portsmouth star Brett Pitman saw Cowes Sports slump to their fourth successive defeat in front of a bumper Zilch Waste Stadium crowd of 236.
The Yachtsmen began brightly with Fin Phillips having a free kick saved early on. Downton then came into the ascendancy, shooting over the crossbar and Brett Pitman causing problems for the home side’s defence.
5 minutes from half time, Cowes went down to 10 men with influential midfielder George Colson shown a straight red supposedly for violent conduct.
On the stroke of half time, Brett Pitman put the Robins into the lead on his debut for the Wiltshire club (0-1).
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Downton
8 minutes into the 2nd half, Pitman bagged his brace (0-2). The Robins then extended their lead in the 71st minute through Harry McGrath (0-3).
10 minutes from full time, Phillips scored a consolation goal for the home side from the penalty spot (1-3).
Full time: Cowes Sports 1-3 Downton
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Flood, Chase, Oatley, Colson, Carter-Knight, Cruttenden, Browne, Phillips, McFarlane Subs: Backshall, Perrin, Sanderson, Long, Wolstenholme
Defeat for the Yachtsmen sees them fall to 16th in the Wessex Premier table. with 12 points from 11 games.
NEWPORT SUNK BY LATE GOAL AT CLANFIELD
One week on from a last-minute win against Totton, lightning struck twice, but this time the Port were on the receiving end.
The game was played on an artificial surface and on two occasions the heavens opened. The second downpour, shortly after half-time, required a brief pause in play as the players sheltered in the dugouts.
The first half was pretty quiet and, whilst full of endeavour, especially from the returning Henry West down the right and Matt Benford down the left, but neither team really tested the keepers. A Jez Conway corner nearly went in directly, and Ji Nash blazed over a decent half-chance. At the other end, the central defensive partnership of Jez Conway and Mikey Thompsett were mopping up any stray passes, and through man-of-the-match Joe Hancott, there was a link with midfield. However, a greasy artificial surface made controlling the ball difficult.
Half time: Clanfield 0-0 Newport IW
The second half saw Clanfield on the front foot for a good spell of 15 minutes, but they created little – goalkeeper Leon Pitman’s only save of note came late on. With Clanfield shuffling their pack, the game became more open. Joe Butcher and Ji Nash looked lively, and set pieces started to look more threatening. Mikey Thompsett planted a header over, and Ji Nash had a decent chance well blocked.
In the final ten minutes, Ji Nash hit the crossbar on 85 minutes, and Clanfield immediately responded with a flurry of corners. Clanfield snatched the winner from their final corner – a close-range poke which broke Newport’s hearts.
Full time: Clanfield 1-0 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Benford, Hancott, Thompsett, West, Taylor (Weeks), Catania, Conway, Butcher, Mazambara (Young) Nash Sub: Egerton-Read
Port’s defeat leaves the County Town club 6th in Wessex Division 1 with 25 points from 14 games.
