East Cowes Vics boss Alex Smith slammed the referee after 2 controversial penalties condemned his side to defeat against Baffins Milton Rovers on Tuesday evening.
Vics went into the game at the JA Dempsey Community Stadium looking to build on Saturday’s dramatic victory at Bemerton Heath Harlequins, which had ended a 10-game winless run in the Wessex Premier. Despite the wettest matchday of the season, the Beatrice Avenue pitch was in excellent condition.
Baffins started brightly, with Frazer Law called into action as early as the 2nd minute. The visitors maintained the pressure and took the lead in the 13th minute through a fine strike from Jack Welch (0–1).
Raff Boyd-Kerr fired wide for Vics 2 minutes later, before Baffins doubled their advantage in controversial circumstances in the 20th minute. Charlie Hart appeared to have won the ball cleanly, but the referee pointed to the penalty spot, with Welch stepping up to beat Law (0–2).
Vics had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 22nd minute when Jacob Reynolds sent Josh Neale clean through. The striker beat the goalkeeper but pulled his effort narrowly wide.
The home side were beginning to get on top, with Reynolds firing just over the crossbar in the 28th minute. Two minutes later, a fine passing move ended with Reynolds smashing the ball past Dylan Kramer from 12 yards to halve the deficit (1–2). It was ‘Yak’s’ 2nd goal in as many games since rejoining Vics from Newport.
Just 3 minutes later, Vics had wiped out Baffins’ 2-goal advantage. A Harrison Yates throw-in was flicked on and Neale nipped in to slot the ball into the bottom corner for his 10th Wessex League goal of the season (2–2).
Having fought their way back into the game, Vics fell behind again on the stroke of half time courtesy of another hotly disputed penalty. Elliot Wheeler chased down a through ball and appeared to win it cleanly, but the visiting striker went to ground and, much to the astonishment of the home crowd, the referee again pointed to the spot. Harvey Welham fired his penalty straight down the middle (2–3).
Half Time: East Cowes Vics 2–3 Baffins Milton Rovers
With the rain becoming heavier and the ball zipping off the slick surface, the game developed into an end-to-end affair. Beau Mullins and Welch both had opportunities for Baffins, while Wheeler and Yates were unable to find the target for Vics.
How Vics failed to equalise in the 71st minute was a mystery to the home supporters. Reynolds headed a Jordan Chapman corner against the crossbar and, with Baffins unable to clear their lines, the ball was crossed back into the area for Toby Snow to head against the bar again.
The home crowd had barely had time to catch their breath when Baffins broke upfield and Kieran Clark’s header brought a superb goal-line save from Law.
Vics had one last glorious opportunity to salvage a point when a long throw from Yates was flicked into the path of Will Bridi. With the goal at his mercy from just 3 yards out, the young striker somehow dragged his effort wide.
Full Time: East Cowes Vics 2–3 Baffins Milton Rovers
East Cowes Vics: Law, Snow, West, Wheeler, Hart, Yates, Chapman, Dyer, Boyd-Kerr, Reynolds, Neale Subs: Haward, Bridi, Wall, Mooney, Weeks
Man of the Match: Elliot Wheeler
Speaking via Vics’ social media after the game, Alex Smith said:
“I honestly wouldn’t have minded if we had lost to Baffins, but we lost to a disgraceful referee. It is literally pointless all of us coming out here.
“I can’t recall a game where a team has just been given 2 goals. Neither were penalties.”
Even Baffins Milton Rovers captain Conor Bailey frankly admitted after the game that neither of the 2 penalties awarded to his side should have been given.
The defeat leaves East Cowes Vics 16th in the Wessex Premier with 14 points from 15 games. Vics return to the JA Dempsey Community Stadium on Saturday (14th November) to face 18th-placed Sherborne Town, who sit just a point behind them in the table.
