Cowes Sports won the Medina Derby against near neighbours East Cowes Vics by the odd-goal-in-3 in their final friendly before their Wessex League campaign begins on Saturday (31st July).
It was a closely fought and competitive contest in which the contribution of the Yachtsmen’s experienced captain, John McKie, proved decisive.
Cowes took the lead in the 16th minute when John McKie, who always looked a threat for the home side, collected the ball from a throw-in at the near post, turned and rifled the ball past an outstretched Karl Steinborn-Busse in the Vics’ goal (1-0).
4 minutes later, Jimmi Burton had a chance to equalize for Vics when given a clear run on the Cowes goal but was blocked by ‘keeper, Ed Hatt, just outside home side’s penalty area. Jimmi continued to be a thorn in the side of the Yachtsmen’s defence, heading just over Ed Hatt’s goal in the 25th minute. Finally, Jake Wright forced an outstretched Hatt to make a diving save 5 minutes from the half-time break to preserve the Yachtsmen’s slender one-goal advantage going into the half-time break.
HT: Cowes Sports 1-0 East Cowes Vics
The second half saw the home side dominate possession with Vics looking dangerous on the counterattack. The Yachtsmen scored what was to prove the decisive goal of the game in the 56th minute when Jez Conway directed a long ball to John McKie, who then sent a magnificent lob from an acute angle over Steinborn-Busse into the far corner of the Vics goal (2-0).
Vics countered in the 64th minute, when Chalky White sent an incisive curling cross to Jimmi Burton, for the Vics centre forward to place the ball in the back of the Yachtsmen’s goal from 5 yards (2-1). Both sides continued to have chances in what was an open and entertaining game, with Ji Nash hitting the Vics upright with a cross-cum-shot in the 70th minute and Jimmi Burton shooting just over the crossbar in the 82nd minute. However, the Yachtsmen withstood some late pressure from their near neighbours to win ‘El Classicowes’ by a single goal.
FT: Cowes Sports 2-1 East Cowes Vics
Cowes Sports: Hatt, C, White, McFarlane, ????, Chase, Conway, Mumford, Ashley, McKie, Coode, Nash Subs: Perrin, Ince, Ricketts, Furmidge, Ellis, Blackshall
Vics: Steinborn-Busse, Walsh, A. White, O.West, Gregory, Newbold, Catania, Chapman, Burton, H. Yates, Wright Subs: Jones, T.Snow, K.Woodford, Berry, Turner, D,Woodford, Gray, Lacey
After the game, Vics manager, Richie Woodburn, said:
“This was a perfect pre-season friendly on a perfect pitch. We have some good youngsters coming through, and we are going in the right direction. John McKie was the difference between the 2 sides, but on another day it could have been Jimmi Burton who scored a brace of goals.”
Cowes next face Amesbury Town in Wiltshire on Saturday (31st July), in their opening Wessex Premier League fixture.
Vics will play a pre-season friendly against Brading Town on Tuesday, before travelling to face Dorset Premier League side, Wareham Rangers, on Saturday. Vics’ first Wessex League 1 fixture is against Infinity at Beatrice Avenue on 7th August.
Newport continued their run of good form in pre-season friendlies by trouncing Southern Combination Premiership side, East Preston, 6-1.
The scorers for the Port were: Liam Harper (3), Jordan Browne, Joe Craig and Jared Wetherick. Newport will travel to face Hampshire Premier League Paulsgrove on Saturday, before their Wessex League 1 campaign begins against Romsey Town at Smallbrook on 7th August.
Oakfield and Ryde Saints Reserves are through to the semi-finals of the Ryde and District Cup. Oakfield beat Brading Reserves 3-0 and Ryde Saints Reserves won 3-4 at Binstead and COB.
