Cowes Sports were held to a draw at Westwood Park by league leaders Shaftesbury. The Yachtsmen showed character by twice coming back from behind in an entertaining game. The 1st chance of the game fell to Cowes in the 8th minute when Connor Kelly rolled the ball under the Rockies’ keeper only to have his effort ruled offside. Ed Hatt was called on to make a save at close range in the 12th minute to prevent the Yachtsmen from falling behind. The home side – who had had the better of the opening exchanges – came close to taking the lead in the 23rd minute when Scott McFarlane just failed to connect with a John McKie cross. Cowes were then punished for failing to take full advantage of their scoring opportunities when a defensive error allowed the opposition to roll the ball under their ‘keeper Ed Hatt in the 37th minute (0-1). The Rockies could have doubled their lead shortly before half time but Brett Pitman uncharacteristically sent the ball flying over the crossbar. 
VICS PUT 5 PAST ASH UNITED IN 8-GOAL THRILLER
East Cowes Vics maintained their push for for a playoff place by beating Ash United at Beatrice Avenue. Vics took a deserved lead in the 10th minute, Jacob Reynolds curling the ball in straight from a corner with his 13th goal of the season (1-0). The East Cowes side doubled their lead in the 36th minute, when the ball bobbed around the Ash box without being cleared before falling to Charlie Marsek, who smashed home from 10 yards (2-0). Ash reduced Vics’ lead to a single goal 4 minutes before the half time break through a free kick that the Vics defence failed to clear, allowing Michael Leech to slot home the loose ball (2-1). Half time: East Cowes Vics 2-1 Ash United Ash were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute after Cannon was dismissed for punching Jacob Reynolds in front of the referee. Vics went further ahead in the 71st minute, Jez Conway setting up Ji Nash to slot the ball past the Ash keeper (3-1). 5 minutes later, Vics scored again – a curling effort into the top corner from Jez Conway (4-1). Ash continued to compete with Jamie Hilton pulling a goal back for the away side (4-2). Vics were still hungry for goals, and Jez Conway set up Ji Nash to bag his brace with his 13th goal of the season (5-2). Ash reduced their goal deficit to 2 in the 3rd minute of injury time through a penalty conceded by Harrison Yates and converted by Jamie Hilton (5-3). Full time: East Cowes Vics 5-3 Ash United East Cowes Vics: Ram, Young, Yates, Newbold, Chase, Chapman, Nash, Boyd-Kerr, Marsek, Reynolds, Neale Subs: Conway, Mumford, Snow, Voller, Taylor Victory for Vics leaves the East Cowes side 6th in Wessex Division 1, 5 points behind 5th-placed Cove but with a game in hand
PLANEMAKERS PUT PAID TO PORT
Newport were beaten on North Island by Folland Sports. After a lacklustre 1st half that finished goalless, Follands took the lead through a controversial penalty (1-0) before doubling their lead 5 minutes later (2-0). Port took the battle to Follands after falling behind, with Sonny Myram and Jordan Browne failing to convert scoring opportunities. Despite the referee playing 10 minutes of injury time, Newport were unable to break down the Planemakers defence and returned to the Island pointless. Full time: Folland Sports 2-0 Newport IoW Newport IoW: Pitman, West, McDonough, Malin, Myram, Walsh, Oatley, Watterson, Vyse, Browne, Younie Subs: Streeter (gk), Page, Powell, Bristow Newport remain 17th in Wessex Division 1 with 18 points from 16 games.
