VICS SCORE 4 AS THE YACHTSMEN CONCEDE 4 ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MEDINA

The 2 Wessex League games played on the Isle of Wight this Saturday (9th March) saw Vics knock 4 goals past Aldermaston at Beatrice Avenue as Cowes conceded 4 at Westwood Park. Vics manager Alex Smith had the luxury of a full squad for the 1st time this season, with new signing Jake Wright making his 1st appearance. The home side were ahead after just 5 minutes when Jake Wright’s exquisite through ball found Ji Nash, who finished clinically (1-0). A minute later, Nash was put through again by Wright but couldn’t beat Knight in the Aldermaston goal. Then, another great through ball from Wright found Nash for a 3rd time, who smashed the ball onto the crossbar. Vics were now rampant, and Wright running the show had yet another great chance that saw Toby Snow again force the keeper into a good save. Further chances fell  for Nash, Snow and Reynolds, before the 2nd goal was scored when Snow picked out Nash for his brace (2-0). The East Cowes side’s 3rd came in the 44th minute: a great move between Chapman and Wright found Nash, whose shot was saved, but Charlie Marsek was on hand to make it 3-0. Half time: East Cowes Vics 3-0 Aldermaston The 2nd half didn’t spark to life until the 52nd minute when Ji Nash sent a lob sailing past the far post. 3 minutes later, a long searching ball from Toby Snow fell to Nash, who steadied himself to score his hat- trick (4-0). Further efforts from Nash and Wright were well saved by heroic Aldermaston keeper Knight, who was single-handedly keeping the score down with sheer determination. Vics manager Alex Smith made multiple changes 2nd half changes with Young, Coode, Boyd-Kerr, Neale and Conway all coming on just after the hour mark. With Vics now comfortably controlling the game, further chances for Conway, Neale and Marsek were all saved by the heroic Atom Men’s keeper. Full time: East Cowes Vics 4-0 Aldermaston East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Chase, Chapman, Reynolds, Wheeler, Marsek, Wright, Nash Subs: Boyd-Kerr, Neale, Coode, Young, Conway Man-of-the-match: Toby Snow Vics remain 5th in Wessex Division 1, 5 points ahead of 6th-placed Fleetlands. The East Cowes side are in action on Wednesday when they travel to face Folland Sports.

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YACHTSMEN 2ND BEST TO 2ND-PLACED MONEYFIELDS

Cowes Sports were well beaten by a clinical and competent Moneyfields side at Westwood Park. Moneys have now won 25 of the 27 games they have played in the season to date; the Yachtsmen suffered their 11th defeat. Cowes Sports started the game without leading scorer Connor Kelly and 1st choice keeper Ed Hatt. The Yachtsmen defended resolutely and in depth until conceding in the 37th minute. However, the home side suffered a number of scares before finally going a goal down. In the 22nd minute, Moneys’ Franklyn rattled the crossbar. In the 28th minute, the away side had a strong penalty appeal when Sargeant was flattened in the 16-yard box. On the half hour mark, the visitors’ Pashley had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside. Moneys finally took the lead when Dellaud hit the upright, and Pennery banged in the rebound (0-1). Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Moneyfields

Moneyfields continued to put relentless pressure on Cowes Sports in the 2nd half. In the 57th minute, Cowes keeper Bridi was forced to tip a powerful effort from Lee onto the crossbar. The away side added a 2nd on the hour mark through a free kick from close to the touchline that somehow evaded the home side’s defence and keeper (0-2) Having defended up until this point, the Yachtsmen sprang to life, with Phillips shooting just wide and Ollie West twice sending headers past the Moneyfields’ upright. However, it was the Portsmouth-based side that had the final word in a game they dominated for 90 minutes.

In the 79th minute, Laycock added a 3rd for the visitors with a powerful header (0-3). 7 minutes from the full time whistle, Franklyn was fouled in the penalty area by Bridi, leading to a booking for the Cowes keeper and a spot kick, converted by Seiden (0-4). Full time: Cowes Sports 0-4 Moneyfields Cowes Sports: G.Bridi, Cranwell, West, Triggs, Oatley, Hancott, Colson, Cook, Phillips, McKie (c), Mumford Subs: Hayward, Carter-Knight, W.bridi, McFarlane, Gearing (gk) The Yachtsmen’s defeat sees them drop to 8th in the Wessex Premier. Cowes are now 4 points behind 5th-placed Brockenhurst but have a game in hand on the New Forest-based side. On Tuesday, Cowes Sports face Island League Division 1 leaders Whitecroft & Barton Sports in the quarter finals of the Senior (Gold) Cup at Westwood Park.

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PORT MAKE A POINT IN NORTH HAMPSHIRE

Newport travelled in-form Whitchurch United and returned home with a point after coming from behind twice. On 17 minutes, Port failed to clear their lines, Benham attacked on the left, and Redmond tapped in at the far post (1-0). Newport responded before half time when Josh Younie wrong footed the keeper from the edge of the box (1-1). Half time: Whitchurch United 1-1 Newport IW The Jam Boys started the 2nd half brightly and took the lead through Alfie Jones with an excellent lobbed finish from 35 yards (2-1). Centre forward Jordan Browne then celebrated making his 200th appearance by equalising in the 75th minute (2-2). Port bossed possession and had the better chances for the remainder of the game, which Whitchurch finished with 10 men after Aleks Kokoska was sin-binned for dissent. Full time: Whitchurch United 2-2 Newport IW Newport IW: Pitman, Page, M. Thompsett, Watterson, Walsh, Catania, Oatley, Browne, Vyse, Butcher, Younie Subs: Bristow, Thompsett, Myram Man-of-the-match: Josh Younie Port remain in 16th place in Wessex Division 1, with 32 points from 24 games. Newport are in action twice midweek, travelling to Ringwood Town on Tuesday, then facing Andover Town at Beatrice Avenue on Thursday.