Mixed Fortunes For Isle Of Wight's Wessex League Teams

There were differing fortunes for the Island’s three Wessex League teams on Saturday (22). Newport kept up their push for a Division One play-off spot with an emphatic win, but there were frustrating defeats for both East Cowes Vics and Cowes Sports.

Peter White writes...

Six Of The Best For Newport

Newport underlined their play-off credentials when they were forced to travel to Verwood Town to play what was supposed to be their home game, but eased to an impressive 6-1 victory. Despite falling behind early on, Joe Butcher led the spree with a hat-trick, while Josh Younie scored twice and Jordan Browne also got on the scoresheet.

Newport manager Steve Brougham was pleased with three more points, but admitted:

“We didn’t play so well in the first half, and found ourselves a goal down. We equalised before they had a player sent off, although in fairness to them they never gave up with only 10 men. But we dominated the second half, which was good to see. 

“All we can do is keep going and hope it will be good enough to get us into the play-offs at the very least. We take on local rivals East Cowes Vics on Tuesday night, and then have another tough one at the weekend against Romsey, who have hit a bit of good form recently. It’s still very tight at the top of the table, but we are third and we must just make sure we keep winning our games. The attitude of my players is very good. They knew they didn’t play very well in the opening half, but they put it together in the second period, so I couldn’t ask for more. They have the ability, but sometimes they need to remember they all need to work hard to get the right result.”

Vics Denied By Late Goal

East Cowes Vics’ manager Richie Woodburn admitted he felt sorry for his players after they gave their all against New Milton Town at Beatrice Avenue, only to suffer a 2-1 defeat in their Division One clash. Woodburn said that the attitude and application of his team over the last three games had been very good, but they kept suffering a bit of misfortune. 

Richie said:

“We knew New Milton are a good side, but we matched them for long spells, with both teams creating chances. Sam Cant scored for us on his debut with a good goal into the far corner, and at 1-1 we had a good opportunity to take the lead late on. Unfortunately, Jimi Burton couldn’t put his shot away, even though the ball hit a post then rolled across the goal line and hit the other post. But then New Milton went straight upfield, and scored a breakaway goal to take all three points. So it was a bit of a kick in the teeth. I couldn’t fault my lads, but it’s a results business, and I knew they were hurting afterwards. They have just got to keep the faith.

“I can only hope we can pick ourselves up and give a good account of ourselves when we take on Newport on Tuesday night, which is an ‘away’ game for us, even though it’s being played at our place.”  

Yachtsmen All At Sea 

Cowes Sports manager Max Draper was short, blunt but honest in his assessment of his side’s Premier League performance at Bournemouth.

The Yachtsmen crashed to a 6-1 defeat against a team that are languishing in the bottom three of the division, and this was only their fourth win in 26 league outings so for this season. The Island side went into the game with high hopes of stretching the gap between themselves and their opponents, but they never looked likely to take the points, with Connor Furmidge’s goal the only consolation. 

Max admitted:

“The only words I can muster right now are dismal, weak, lax and embarrassing. It is time to take a serious look at things. My players need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves just what they want from it all.” 

Max will no doubt be looking for a much-improved performance this weekend when he takes his side back onto the mainland to face seventh-placed Shaftesbury.