Mixed Results For Island's Wessex League Teams

It was a mixed weekend for the Isle of Wight's Wessex League football teams.

Peter White rounds up the action...

Yachtsmen plot perfect course 

A pre-match plan, smartly drawn up by Cowes Sports manager Max Draper and his assistant Alex Smith, worked to perfection as the Yachtsmen cruised to an impressive 4-1 home victory over Alton in the Premier League.

Max said:

“We have had a tough run of fixtures over the past few weeks, and have been a bit unlucky in some of them. But we came up with a new formation and tactics which Alex talked through really well with the lads, and it paid off. I don’t want to give too much away, but is something we will definitely be trying again. Alex and I said it was no good not being ourselves, we needed to go for it. Let’s stop worrying about what other teams can do, and just concentrate on what we can do.”

The Yachtsmen were soon a goal in front through free-scoring John McKie, and they also hit the woodwork three times before Alton grabbed an equaliser. But Scott McFarlane restored the Island side’s lead, and they wrapped up the points with further goals from McKie and Ji Nash. 

Max added:

“We had a few new faces in the team which helped, and we also had Connor White back on the subs’ bench after missing several months with torn knee ligaments. I have to say our back four were magnificent, but it was a day when everyone played his part.”

Newport take a point 

Newport were left to rue a string of missed chances after taking only one point from a 2-2 draw at Whitchurch United in Division One. It was a frustrating afternoon for manager Steve Brougham.

He said:

“Some of our play was as good as at any time this season, but after we went ahead we just couldn’t convert a string of very good chances. I’m not exaggerating when I say we could have been 6-1 up at half time.” 

Jordan Browne headed Port in front, but Whitchurch managed to level before the interval. In a much tighter second period, John Younie restored the lead with a smart free kick, but the Islanders were again guilty of not putting the game to bed, and paid the penalty when Whitchurch levelled near the end. 

Steve added:

“At least we took a point, but I can’t really complain because if you don’t take your chances you are not going to win games, it’s as simple as that. It was disappointing, but I’m sure another game will come up where we don’t play so well but take all three points. I still think we are more than capable of finishing in the top five.”

Vics show promise

East Cowes Vics gave a good account of themselves against Division One promotion contenders Folland Sports before going down 2-1 at Beatrice Avenue. Vics had a pre-match setback when defensive stalwart Ollie West found himself stuck on the mainland, so manager Richie Woodburn had to shuffle his team, but had few complaints about his young battlers, who took Folland to the wire, despite going down to 10 men in the second period.

Richie said:

“I feared the worst when they scored with their first attack, but we galvanised and got back into the game, and might have levelled. We went further behind midway through the first half, but Ryan Gregory gave us a chance with a fine free kick just before the break.

“We took the game to Folland in the second half, which seemed to rattle them, but then Ryan Gregory picked up a second yellow card and we were down to 10 men. Even then we kept going, with another promising 16-year-old, Jake McNaney, coming off the bench for his debut. Although we didn’t manage a point, I couldn’t really fault my lads for their effort, because we gave a top side a good run for their money, with a depleted squad.”