East Cowes Vics held 7th-placed Fleetlands to a draw at Beatrice Avenue on Saturday (11th March).
The East Cowes side had been on a high last Saturday after beating promotion contenders Petersfield but suffered a midweek low, losing to Island League West Wight in the Gold Cup.
Manager Alex Smith brought in Tom Ashley and Kade Woodford at fullbacks. New signing Josh Neale from Cowes was left on the bench.
The first half hour saw little goalmouth action but was very competitive, leading to bookings for Callum Chase, Henry West, Sam Cant, and Harry Taylor – all for strong challenges.
The 1st real chance fell to Fleetlands, but a weak header gave Alex Ram the chance to gather the ball. Vics had a couple of half chances just before half time but were unable to take advantage of their opportunities.
Fleetlands’ best chance came right on half time, when a rare mistake from Callum Chase let in Jamie Wrapson, who smashed his goal attempt wide.
Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-0 Fleetlands
Vics started the 2nd half stronger with 2 efforts blocked efforts from Conor Lyon.
In the 54th minute, Fleetlands centre half Harry Shaw brought down Josh Neale on the edge of the Fleetlands box. The referee booked Shaw and gave the free kick. Up stepped dead ball specialist Harry Taylor to curl an unstoppable trademark strike into the top corner of the Fleetlands’ goal (1-0).
Vics battled for every ball now, and Fleetlands had little idea how to break the Vics back four down. However, in the 87th minute, a lovely interchange of passes found Callum Archer, who hit an unstoppable shot past Vics keeper Alex Ram to level the scores (1-1).
The game was now on a knife edge. Fleetlands desperately tried to find a winner, but Vics held strong for the 6 minutes of injury time added minutes against a side higher in the Division 1 table.
Full time: East Cowes Vics 1-1 Fleetlands
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Ashley, Woodford, West, Chase (c), Taylor, Voller, Lyon, Marsek, Yates, Cant Subs: Parsons, Radford, Snow, Neale, Walsh
Following the game, on behalf of East Cowes Vics, Russ Chapman said:
“After a painful result midweek, today was about regrouping and giving a battling performance, and every player put in a shift to achieve a very good result.”
The draw leaves East Cowes Vics in 16th place, 4 points above Amesbury Town in the 3rd relegation spot.
Wessex Division 1 table below:
Report compiled with kind assistance of Russ Chapman
