East Cowes Vics Development have gone top of Hampshire Development and Combination League Division 1 by beating Colden Common 0-1.
Colden Common are co-managed by former Saints and WBA player Pedro Miguel Monteiro (‘Pele’).
Vics made some changes to the team that destroyed Liss in the first half last week, with Kayton Evans in for Uni-bound Fraser Law, Olly Carey for Brad Young, Flynn Jackman for Harry Taylor, Charlie Haward for Jayden Yates, and Dan Johnson for Cory Sanderson.
Vics started brightly with Chris Turner heading over from a Sam Kirby cross in the 2nd minute; Haward shot just over the bar on the 9th.
In the 18th minute, Vics thought they had opened the scoring after Johnson was through on goal, but his shot past the keeper was cleared to safety off the line. A minute later, Johnson headed over from a Kade Woodford cross, and, in the 36th minute, Ali Elyasi created a chance for Colden.
Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-0 Colden Common
The 2nd half started as the first with the Vics in the ascendancy with a Kirby turn and shot followed by a Stan Backshall shot, then another shot by Kirby superbly saved by Colden’s keeper Harry Page.
Vics’ missed chances nearly came to haunt them when – in the 56th minute – Colden’s Davis crossed along the area, and Emanuel Alves just couldn’t connect with the ball with the goal at his mercy.
Another chance for Vics came and went, with Jake McNaney heading over from a Kirby corner. Then – in the 65th minute – Chris Turner found James Turner wide on the right, his cross into the area was fumbled by Page and, despite needing two bites of the cherry. the ball ended up in the back of the net courtesy of Kirby (0-1).
Vics were now in control of the game, and the busy Page had to come to Colden’s rescue by saving from Kirby again.
With time running out, Colden couldn’t muster any chances, and the Vics saw out the game. The East Cowes Development side now sit firmly at the top of the Hampshire Combination and Development League table.
Full time: Colden Common 0-1 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: Evans, Carey, Woodford, C. Turner (c), McNaney, Jackman, B. Backshall, Sheerin, Haward, Kirby, Johnson Subs: J. Turner, Backshall, Calder, Flux, Glynn
Next Saturday, Vics face probably their biggest test to date against Blackfield and Langley.
Hampshire Combination and Development League table below:
According to the league table Blackfield & Langley have lost a game and are not unbeaten.