East Cowes Vics secured another win against a top Division 1 club with a narrow but deserved victory over 2nd-placed New Milton Town on Saturday (25th March).
This was their 2nd win in a month against a team in the play off places having already seen off Petersfield Town 3 weeks ago.
Vics now need just 2 points from their remaining 5 games to ensure Wessex League football at Beatrice Avenue next season.
Vics started the game without Coner Lyon (injured), Ben Holdsworth (dislocated shoulder) and Aiden Radford (hand injury). Captain Callum Chase was on the substitutes’ bench having not fully recovered from illness; Liam Newbold was given the captain’s armband. Alex Smith was unavailable; reserve team manager Stuart Simmonds took his responsibilities.
The game began with plenty of New Milton possession and pressure but few scoring opportunities for the away side. The lion’s share of clear chances fell to a counter-attacking Vics team.
In the 23rd minute, Sam Cant put Josh Neale through, for the No 10 to force New Milton keeper Oliver Bull to make a good save with his legs. 7 minutes from the halftime break, Neale dispossessed a New Milton defender before running into the penalty area and having a 2nd shot saved by Bull. A minute later, Charlie Marsek played a one-two with Sam Cant before seeing his goal bound strike brilliantly saved by Bull.
Half time East Cowes Vics 0-0 New Milton Town
The 2nd half began with an injured Liam Newbold being replaced by captain Callum.
Vics took the lead 10 minutes from the start of the 2nd half when Harri Taylor played Toby Snow on for the flying full back to jinx past a defender before sending the ball past Bull from a tight angle (1-0).
Stuart Simmonds then made a couple of changes to the Vics side with James Turner replacing Charlie Marsek and Sam Kirby coming on for Harrison Yates (who had just been booked for an overenthusiastic challenge). A minute from full time, Cruz Wragg replaced the highly effective Sam Cant.
There then followed 5 frantic minutes of injury time. New Milton substitute Luke Stone had 2 golden opportunities to equalise for the away side sending his 1st effort wide and having his second stopped by an Alex Ram wonder save. The mainland side also had 2 strong penalty appeals turned down by referee Grainger, who appeared unsighted when he dismissed the 2nd appeal.
New Milton crowded the referee when demanding a spot kick and were fortunate not to have had a couple of their number sinbinned for their over-enthusiastic protests. However, the ref remained resolute as did the Vics defence, resulting in all 3 points remaining on the Island.
Full time: East Cowes Vics 1-0 New Milton Town
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Woodford, Berry, Newbold (c) (Chase), Taylor, Voller, Yates (Kirby), Cant (Wragg), Neale, Marsek (Turner)
After the game, Stuart Simmonds (deputising for Alex Smith) said:
“It suits us to play stronger sides. We allowed them to keep possession and hit them on the counterattack. Our defence was resolute throughout, and they had few chances.”
On the penalty appeals, Stuart said:
“We deserved the win. Plenty of decisions have gone against us in the past. It’s about time we had some luck with referees.”
New Milton social media stated:
“Not at our best today. The 2nd half descended into pub football with numerous bookings and free kicks.”
To which East Cowes Vics’ Daz Dyer responded:
“Beaten by a pub side. Have a safe trip home.”
The other Division 1 fixture featuring an Isle of Wight side – Andover Town v Newport (IoW) was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
![Ecv Winners[19520]](https://cdn.islandecho.co.uk/uploads/2023/03/ECV_Winners19520-1000x637.jpg)
YACHTSMEN MAKE A POINT AT CHRISTCHURCH
Cowes Sports – who sit only 3 points above the Wessex Premier relegation zone – earned a creditable draw at 8th-placed Christchurch.
The Yachtsmen took a very early 3-minute lead when Harri Catania converted a long throw from Scott McFarlane after being played on by Jez Conway (0-1).
In the 10th minute, Christchurch’s Fawzi Saudi was brought down in the Cowes penalty area. Ed Hatt parried the resulting spot kick from Conor Jevon for a corner.
Jez Conway came close to giving the Island side a 2-goal advantage going into half-time, forcing a good save from Christchurch keeper Harry Dillon.
Half time: Christchurch 0-1 Cowes Sports
4 minutes into the 2nd half, Anwal Abubakar equalised for the home side (1-1).
Cowes then had several opportunities to regain the lead. In the 50th minute, a Jez Conway strike hit the crossbar. In the 57th minute, Ollie West had a shot tipped onto the crossbar by Dillon. 8 minutes from full time, the Yachtsmen had a ‘goal’ disallowed for handball.
The game ended in controversy with 3 red cards after a foul on Jez Conway led to a flare up between the 2 teams: Mickey Finch and Rafael Santos were red carded for Christchurch with Brandon Hayward sent off for Cowes.
Full time: Christchurch 1-1 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Mumford, Dempsey, H. West, O. West, Coshell (Ahmed), McFarlane, Hayward, Conway, Catania (Neale), Phillips (c)
Wessex Premier table below:
