East Cowes Victoria were knocked out of the Wessex League Cup by AFC Portchester at the quarter final stage of the competition yesterday evening (Tuesday).
The Victorians went into the game on the back of 7 straight league wins and full of confidence. However, their opponents AFC Portchester were flying high at the top of the Wessex Premier, having lost only once all season. This was a major challenge, but one that this young Vics side were relishing.
Manager Alex Smith was forced into changes. Liam Triggs was not fit after pulling up Saturday; Zak Sullivan was unavailable; Jacob Reynolds looked likely to start but pulled up in the warm up. Gareth Bricknell stepped in to replace Reynolds.
Vics had the first chance after 3 minutes – a pinpoint cross from Jordan Chapman picking out Scott Jones whose effort was just wide.
The Victorians matched their Wessex Premier opponents, and Portchester’s first effort came after 22 minutes – a shot wide of the target from Conor Bailey. A Harrison Brook effort for the away side on 30 minutes was well blocked by Elliott Wheeler.
Vics were unlucky on 36 minutes, when a ball from Adam Voller found Scott Jones, but he mistimed his volley and the chance went begging.
Right on half time, Portchester won a free kick just inside Vics’ half; the ball was floated in, Fraser Law came to clear but Archie Wilcox beat Law to the ball, and his back header flew into the net (0-1).
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 0-1 AFC Portchester
After a very even first half, Vics came out desperate to level the game up and were unlucky on 51 minutes when a free kick from Harrison Yates was cleared at the far post by Jack Lee. Yates had a goal bound effort blocked on 66 minutes, and Raff Boyd-Kerr’s curling effort sailed just wide in the 78th minute.
At this point, Portchester started to turn the screw and efforts from Ryan Pennery, Marley Ridge and Ryan Wilkins were well saved by Fraser Law.
Vics needed just one chance, but frustratingly that opportunity never arose and when Boyd-Kerr was sin binned for dissent on 87 minutes, Vics’ chance of taking the game to penalties all but disappeared.
Full time: East Cowes Victoria 0-1 AFC Portchester
East Cowes Victoria: Law, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Wheeler, Chapman (Perrin), Bricknell (Kudzi), Boyd-Kerr, Jones, J. Neale (Hart), Voller (C. Neale) Man-of-the-match: Elliot Wheeler
