A young Vics side—with 3x 16-year-olds in its starting line-up—comfortably knocked 4 goals past Wessex Premier side Alton at Beatrice Avenue on Tuesday night.
Vics were bolstered by the return of Brandon Hayward who had been absent after having to isolate because of COVID-19. 3x 16-year-olds—Kade Woodford, Charlie Marsek and Toby Snow—started the game for Vics. The oldest player in the squad, captain Ryan Gregory (still in his mid-20s), was left on the bench having received a facial injury in Saturday’s game away to Bemerton.
Alton began brightly with Vics keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse having to fist the ball over the crossbar in the 8th minute after a powerful effort from Matt Benham.
Vics captain Liam Newbold was booked in the 12th minute after clashing with the Brewer’s keeper Roux Hardcastle after which the goalkeeper needed treatment.
East Cowes appeared the stronger side in the 1st half, with their best chance coming on the half-hour mark when first Jimmy Burton and then Charlie Marsek had shots blocked by Hardcastle.
Vics got their breakthrough in first-half injury time when keeper Hardcastle failed to collect a corner cleanly for Harri Catania to bundle the ball into the back of the net close to the goal line (1-0).
HT: Vics 1-0 Alton
Vics went in search of more 2nd half goals with Harri Catania sending a shot past the post in the 52nd minute before shooting over the crossbar. The Brewers were still a potent threat with Aiden White forced to block the ball close to the goal line and Karl Steinborn-Busse making a fine save to stop a goal bound header from Jack Fowler.
The Vics then extended their lead in the 64th minute with a rare 2-yard headed goal by defender Liam Newbold from a corner (2-0). 3 minutes later, Vics centre forward Jimmi Burton scored the goal-of-the-game when he picked up the ball close to the by-line, turned and beat a defender, before sending the ball from an acute angle past an outstretched Hardcastle and into the far side of the net (3-0).
Alton thought they had pulled a goal back 10 minutes before full time, but had their effort ruled offside. However, a minute later, makeshift substitute forward Ryan Gregory set up Jimmi Burton to score from a couple of yards.
FT: Vics 4-0 Alton
East Cowes Vics: Steinborn-Busse, Turner, White, 0. West, Newbold, Hayward, Woodford, Catania, Burton, Marsek, Snow Subs: Gregory, Wright, H. Yates, Sullivan, Turkington
After the game, a delighted Vics manager, Richie Woodburn, said:
“We showed tenacity against higher league opposition. We could easily have thrown it away. Tonight, it all came together. The lads have been threatening a performance like this for some time. We could go far in the competition.”
Vics are the only Island side left in the Wessex League Cup after Newport lost 5-0 at Wessex Premier Horndean on Tuesday night. Cowes were knocked out in the 1st round at Westwood Park 3-4 by Wessex League 1 side, Andover New Street.
East Cowes Vics will next face an away tie at Fleet Spurs in the 2nd round. The East Cowes side have already beaten Spurs 5-0 in a league game at Beatrice Avenue earlier in the season.
Vics are also the only Island side left in the prestigious FA Vase competition after Cowes were knocked out of the competition by losing 3-4 to Bournemouth (Poppies) at Westwood Park. Vics will travel to Dorset on Saturday, 25th September, to face Bournemouth in the 2nd round.
Results for Tuesday 14th September:
Wessex League Cup 1st round: East Cowes Vics 4-0 Alton; Horndean 5-0 Newport IoW
Due to the Isle of Wight Festival, there are NO fixtures for Island League sides or Island teams competing in the Wessex League on Saturday 18th September.
Videos courtesy of Jordan Chapman.
