After knocking out Cowes Sports in the previous round, Bournemouth Poppies claimed their 2nd Isle of Wight scalp in succession in the FA Vase by beating Vics 5-3 at Victoria Park.
FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round: Bournemouth (Poppies) 5-3 East Cowes Vics
Vics travelled to Bournemouth with a very young team including 3 16-year-olds in the starting line-up: Toby Snow, Charlie Marsek and Kade Woodford. Vics were without captain Ryan Gregory (unavailable), experienced full back Liam Newbold (suspended), midfielder Jordan Chapman (injured) and highly rated keeper, Karl Steinborn-Busse, who recently left the East Cowes club.
Bournemouth were the better side in the 1st half, opening the scoring in the 18th minute through a deflected shot by Dom Falco (1-0). 5 minutes later, they came close to extending their lead when Bruno Manuel hit the crossbar. Vics had their chances with Toby Snow seeing a close-range effort blocked by the Bournemouth keeper’s legs, Jimmy Burton blasting over the crossbar, and Jamie Wright sending an effort wide.
HT: Bournemouth 1-0 East Cowes Vics
Poor defensive play saw Vics concede 3 goals in quick succession early in the 2nd half. First, Conor Jeven set up Danny Hansford to score from 5 yards in the 48th minute (2-0). A minute later, the industrious Jeven set up Dom Falco to side foot the ball past Vics keeper Alex Ram (3-0). In the 55th minute, Jeven set up yet another 2nd half goal for Danny Hansford to score from 5 yards (4-0).
Harri Catania then got a goal back for Vics in the 59th minute, coolly lobbing the Poppies keeper Harrison Guscott from the middle of the penalty area (4-1). However, hopes for a Vics comeback were dashed when the Poppies were mysteriously awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute, which Tyrone Carkeet buried in the back of the Vics net (5-1).
To the credit of the young Vics side, despite the 4-goal deficit their heads did not drop, and they battled gamely for the remainder of the match. In the 67th minute, Jamie Wright pulled a goal back for Vics with a 25-yard low free kick that he buried in the left side of the goal (5-2). 5 minutes later, Vics scored again through a Kade Woodford thunderbolt from the left of the Poppies penalty area after the youngster had been set up from a long ball by Jimmi Burton (5-3). The Islanders continued to dominate their more experienced opponents until the final whistle but without adding further to their goal tally.
FT: Bournemouth 5-3 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Turner, White, O. West, Catania, Hayward, Wright, Snow, Burton, Marsek, Woodford Subs: Yates, Jones
After the game, John Simpkins said on behalf of East Cowes Vics:
“We matched our higher league opponents all the way, but a silly 10 minutes after half time ruined all our good work. You can’t concede 5 goals and expect to win.”
Although East Cowes Vics have now been knocked out of the prestigious FA Vase competition, they remain in contention for 2 other cups: the Hampshire Senior cup and the Wessex League Cup. On Tuesday (28th September), Vics face National League Eastleigh in the Senior Cup at Beatrice Avenue. Kick off is at 19.45.
Saturday was a disappointing day for all 3 Isle of Wight Wessex League sides. In the Wessex Premier Division. Cowes Sports lost 3-1 away to Hamble and have now dropped to 7th place in the table. Conor Furmidge was on target for the Yachtsmen with a header. Cowes had to play the game without the guidance of manager Max Draper and assistant manager Alex Smith after both were forced to isolate because of Covid-19. The Yachtsmen next face a difficult tie away to Portsmouth-based Baffins Milton Rovers on Wednesday (29th September).
Newport have been knocked off the top of Wessex League 1 after losing 5-2 away to newly promoted Millbrook. The goals for the Port came courtesy of a brace from Jordan Browne. Newport next travel to bottom-of-the-table Fleet Spurs on Saturday, 2nd October.
Results for Isle of Wight Wessex League teams for Saturday, 25th September:
FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round: Bournemouth 5-3 East Cowes Vics
Wessex Premier: Hamble 3-1 Cowes Sports
Wessex League 1: Millbrook 5-2 Newport IoW
