East Cowes Vics booked their place in the Division 1 playoffs with a comfortable win over Clanfield at Beatrice Avenue this afternoon.
Before the game, captain Liam Newbold picked up an award for completing 250 games for the East Cowes side.
Vics manager Alex Smith had to juggle his side with Jacob Reynolds failing a late fitness test. Morgan Perrin was put in the starting line up and new signing Mark Taylor appeared on the substitutes’ bench.
The Victorians started the game at an incredible pace and led in the 4th minute when a Liam Newbold clearance fell to Scott Jones, who controlled the ball, looked up and lobbed Clanfield keeper Logan O’Donnell (1-0).
Josh Neale was then unlucky on 6 minutes, with O’Donnell called into action again. Clanfield’s Joseph Briggs fired over on 23 minutes and the lively Jacob Pope had a goalbound effort blocked on 27 minutes.
Both sides worked hard in the glorious sunshine, although chances were few. A great run and shot from Vics full back Toby Snow deserved more right on half time, but O’Donnell was in the right place.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 1-0 Clanfield
It took just 4 minutes of the 2nd half for Vics to increase their lead when a great move ended with Elliott Wheeler pulling back for Josh Neale to finish smartly into the bottom corner (2-0).
2 minutes later, Clanfield pulled a goal back after George Combon’s run and cross picked out Brendan Ebireri, who touched home from a yard out (2-1).
Vics were retaining the ball well and increased their lead on 54 minutes, with Josh Neale picking out Elliott Wheeler, who hammered home from the edge of the 6-yard box (3-1).
Josh Neale was unlucky with 3 further efforts, and Elliott Wheeler had two strikes well saved by O’Donnell, but the Victorians were unable to further extend their lead.
Full Time: East Cowes Victoria 3-1 Clanfield
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold (c), Perrin, Boyd-Kerr, Coode, Jones, Wheeler, J. Neale, Hart Subs: Turner, C. Neale, Sullivan, Taylor, Mazambara Man-of-the-match: Rafferty Boyd-Kerr
East Cowes Victoria remain 4th in Wessex Division 1 with 68 points from 35 games. Clubs finishing from 2nd to 5th take up the playoff places. However, 5th-placed Hamworthy United are not eligible for promotion this season, meaning the 6th-placed side will compete in the playoffs.
7th-placed Ringwood Town – who lost this afternoon – can only finish on a maximum of 65 points. The lowest Vics can finish this season is 6th and are therefore assured of a playoff place.
PORT DEFEAT OILERS ON THE ROAD
Newport kept their faint hopes of reaching the playoff positions alive with a win at in-form Fawley AFC.
Fawley took the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute through an unfortunate Michael Thompsett own goal (0-1).
Newport scored their equalising goal 3 minutes from the halftime break when Kai Grace was fouled inside the penalty area, and Ji Nash stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick (1-1).
Half time: Fawley AFC 1-1 Newport IW
Nash bagged his brace 5 minutes into the 2nd half – again from the penalty spot after he had been brought down – his 23rd goal of the season to date.
The home side had scoring opportunities during the 2nd half but were unable to get past Port keeper Pitman.
Port played the final minutes of the game with 10 men after captain Maca Watterson was sinbinned but held out to return across the Solent with all 3 points.
Full time: Fawley AFC 1-2 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Holbrook, Thompsett, Young, Watterson (c), Conway, Butcher, Walsh, Nash, Kirby, Grace Subs: Barsdell, Arnold, Brien, Craig Man-of-the-match: Ji Nash
Newport remain 8th in the Wessex Division 1 table with 55 points from 35 games, 6 points behind Fleetlands in the 4th playoff position, with 3 games of their season left to play.
Cowes Sports had their game at Sherborne Town in Dorset postponed due to ferry issues.
On Tuesday (8th April), the Yachtsmen face top Wessex Premier side Portchester at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
Co-manager Ian Potts says of the fixture:
” If Porchester win, they win the league, so it’s a massive test against the best team in the Wessex League.”
