A young East Cowes Vics side put the Hampshire Trophy holders Brading Town to the sword at Beatrice Avenue on Tuesday night.
Vics began the game with several of their experienced first-team players on the substitutes bench. The Romans had the lions share of the early chances with centre forward, Dan Vale, forcing a good save from Vics keeper, Karl Steinborn-Busse in the 4th minute and then shooting just wide 2 minutes later. In the 16th minute, Brandon Hayward had a powerful strike fisted just over the crossbar by Brading keeper, Ben Gearing.
The Vics took the lead in the 37th minute when Jamie Wright sent a low shot past an outstretched Ben Gearing into the far corner of the Brading goal (1-0). The home side should have been 2 up shortly before halftime when Ben Snow put the ball in the back of the Brading net but had his effort controversially ruled offside.
HT: East Cowes Vics 1-0 Brading Town
East Cowes sent on some of their more experienced players in the second half, including prolific centre forward, Jimmi Burton and captain, Ryan Gregory, and their talent showed against a tiring Brading side.
Jimmi scored with his 1st touch in the 46th minute when he sent a powerful low strike past Ben Gearing after being put through by Jordan Chapman (2-0). Then, in the 60th minute, Jimmi turned from scorer to provider, setting up Chapman to dispatch the into the back of the Roman’s net (2-0). Finally, 3 minutes before the end of full time, Harrison Yates sent a superb curling cross into the path of Jimmi Burton, who then directed the ball into the Brading goal from 5 yards (3-0).
FT: East Cowes Vics 4-0 Brading Town
Vics: Steinborn-Busse, Woodford, Newbold, Berry, Turner, Sullivan, Snow, Hayward, Shilson-Marsek, Chapman, Wright Subs: White, Yates, Walsh, Saunders, Burton, Gregory, Catania, Ram
Brading Town: Gearing, Page, Burns, Oatley, Connor, Hitchcox, M. Bennett, Cook, Vale, McCabe, A. Bennett Subs: Shaw, trialist
After the game, Vics manager, Richie Woodburn, said:
“I think we just played the youngest ever side in the history of East Cowes Vics. We had 3 16-year-olds in the starting line-up: Kade Woodford, Charlie Shilson-Marsek and Toby Snow. There is a real buzz around the club and we are heading in the right direction both on and off the pitch.”
Vics travel to Dorset to face Wareham Rangers in a pre-season friendly on Saturday (31st July) before facing Island League Shanklin at Beatrice Avenue next Tuesday. Their Wessex League 1 campaign begins on 7th August with a home tie against Infinity.
Newport had their game against Island League champions, Whitecroft & Barton Sports, at Smallbrook called off on Tuesday night due to standing water in 1 corner of the pitch following the weekend storms.
The Port travel to Paulsgrove on Saturday for a pre-season friendly. Their Wessex League 1 campaign begins on 7th August with a home tie against Romsey Town.
Cowes Sports begin their Wessex Premier League campaign in Wiltshire this Saturday with an away tie against Amesbury Town. Kick-off is at the earlier time of 14:00.
