VICS WIN VITAL MATCH AT ROMSEY TO RETURN TO PLAYOFF PLACE CONTENTION

Vics bounced back from their Gold Cup quarter-final defeat against Brading to beat Romsey on the road this afternoon (Saturday). The East Cowes side travelled knowing 3 points were vital in their quest for a play off place. Manager Alex Smith welcomed back Harrison Yates, Raff Boyd-Kerr, Toby Snow and Jacob Reynolds to the starting line up. The Beatrice Avenue boys began the game with high intensity, and Josh Neale was denied a goal after just 30 seconds. However, Vics were still hungry for the opening goal, and a ball from Callum Chase across the box fell to Jacob Reynolds, who drilled the ball into the corner of the goal with just 2 minutes on the clock (0-1). The East Cowes side had further 1st half chances: Raff Boyd-Kerr was unlucky on 15 minutes and Callum Chase’s header just went over in the 17th. Captain Callum Chase was everywhere, and his goal clearance on 22 minutes was spectacular and celebrated like a Vics goal. Vics went 2 up on 29 minutes: Jacob Reynolds won the ball back in midfield, the ball was then set for Ji Nash, who rounded the keeper and tucked the ball away from 12 yards at a tight angle (0-2). Reynolds and Josh Neale had further efforts in the 32nd and 34th minutes that just went wide. Romsey had a great chance in the 38th minute, but Alex Ram was alert to the danger and pulled off a spectacular save. Half time: Romsey Town 0-2 East Cowes Vics The 2nd half was a real battle, and with every Vics player working hard for the team, Romsey were restricted to very little. Toby Snow, who had a brilliant game came closest to scoring with a mazy run and shot in the 64th minute that just went wide. On a sour note, Callum Chase was adjudged by the referee to have pulled back a Romsey striker in the 75th minute and was shown a straight red. Vics battled through to the final whistle to return the 3 points to the Isle of Wight to the delight of the the 70+ travelling Vics fans. Full time: Romsey Town 0-2 East Cowes Vics East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Wheeler, Chase, Chapman, Wright, Boyd-Kerr. Neale, Reynolds, Nash Subs: Newbold, Conway, Marsek, Young, Coode Vics remain 5th in Wessex Division 1, 1 point ahead of Fleetlands (who have a game in hand over the East Cowes side). On Tuesday, Vics travel to North Island to face Totton & Eling before playing Frimley Green in their final fixture on Saturday.

PORT BATTLE GAMELY IN HOME DEFEAT TO HIGH-FLYING DOWNTON

Newport lost their final home game of the season to 3rd-placed Downton to 2 goals from set pieces. However, Port battled gamely throughout the 90 minutes and were far from being outclassed by their playoff-chasing opponents. The County Town club began the game on the front foot with Harrison Catania blasting the ball inches past the Downton upright in the 1st minute of the game. Downton always appeared dangerous, with Ollie Davies striking the upright in the 20th minute, and Port keeper Pitman forced to make some fine saves to deny Downton’s Smith and Griffiths. Port had their chances with Myram shooting over the crossbar and Jordan Browne forcing the Downton keeper into making a vital save.

The home side suffered a blow in the 35th minute when Henry West was forced off injured to be replaced by George Holbrook. Shortly before half time, Sonny Myram appeared to have been brought down in the penalty area with no spot kick awarded. Ant Kettell was then sinbinned for protesting the referee’s decision too loud and too long. Half time: Newport IW 0-1 Downton

The 1st half ended with Downton’s Harrison Clarke heading the ball home from a corner from close to the goal line (0-1). 8 minutes after the half time break, Clarke bagged his brace by beating the Newport defence to a further corner (0-2). Port came close to conceding a 2nd goal, but Scott Barron blocked the ball on the goal line. 3 minutes from full time, Newport came close to pulling a goal back with Harri Catania having a goal attempt blocked and Jordan Browne striking the ball at the Downton keeper. However, the away side defended with composure to return the 3 points to Wiltshire.

Full time: Newport IW 0-2 Downton Newport IW: Pitman, West, Thompsett, Watterson, Barron, Catania, Butcher, Oatley, Browne, Kettell, Myram Subs: Holbrook, Gandvoinet, Jones, Page, Streeter (gk) Port remain 12th in Wessex Division 1 with 49 points from 38 games. Newport travel to New Milton Town on Tuesday ahead of their final game away to Andover Town on Saturday.

YACHTSMEN FINISH SEASON IN TOP HALF OF WESSEX PREMIER TABLE

Cowes Sports drew their final game of the season in front of over 400 spectators away to Petersfield Town in north Hampshire. The Rams took the lead in the 19th minute through Alex Hulme after a poor back pass from Cranwell (1-0). The Yachtsmen equalised 7 minutes from full time courtesy of an Ollie West header (1-1). Full time: Petersfield Town 1-1 Cowes Sports Cowes Sports: Hatt, Mumford, Benford, West, Triggs, Hancott, Phillips (c), Cranwell, McFarlane, Kelly, Bridi Subs: Neale, McKie, Ahmed, Weeks, Holden Cowes are currently in 9th place in the Wessex Premier. However, the Yachtsmen could finish as low as 11th as both Sherborne Town and Fareham have sufficient games in hand to finish above the Isle of Wight’s sole Wessex Premier representatives.