Isle of Wight clubs start Wessex League with mixed results

But East Cowes Vics took their 'great escape' form into Division 1 with a 2-1 home victory over Millbrook.

The scoreline did not lie for the Yachtsmen, who were hammered 4-1 at Westwood Park by Baffins Milton Rovers.

Ed Hatt was in great form for Cowes Sports, but could not prevent Baffins from scoring four at Westwood Park. (Image: Graham Brown)

Cowes were unlucky early on, a Fin Phillips shot going agonisingly wide, then Ed Hatt makes a trademark great save from a free kick to keep it goalless.

On the half-hour, new signing from Newport, Liam Triggs, put his header wide from a pinpoint John McKie cross.

Another decent Hatt save and a McKie shot, equally well saved, somehow keeps the game poised at 0-0.

But against the run of play, Baffins snatch the lead with an own goal just before half-time.

Cowes Sports' Scott McFarlane scored a consolation from the spot. (Image: Graham Brown)

Triggs should've put Cowes level, but his close range effort was deflected over by a defender.

Baffins score again from a breakaway, then add their third and fourth on 82 and 85 minutes respectively to kill all hope for Cowes.

The Yachtsmen did give the crowd something to cheer — a Scott McFarlane penalty deep into injury time.

Just across the River Medina, at Beatrice Avenue, the mood was a lot brighter.

After a decent pre-season, Alex Smith is developing a good, young side capable of much more this season.

East Cowes Vics manager Alex Smith will be delighted to get the new season going with a win. (Image: Graham Brown)

Millbrook started the brighter, though, stunning East Cowes Vics with four good efforts in the first 15 minutes, all well saved by Alex Ram.

Vics struggled to contain Millbrook's lively front three, but Vics grew into the game and began to create chances — none more so than in the 44th minute when Ji Nash blazed wide when well placed to score.

Vics knew they had to up their game after a difficult first half and came out pumped up — going close with Nash and Liam Newbold efforts well saved early on.

But eventually, Vics pressure told when a ball into Josh Neale in his own half saw the striker run between two defenders from the half-way line, outpacing both, drawing the keeper and superbly slotting home for the opening goal.

Josh Neale ran from the half-way line to score a superb opener for Vics against Millbrook. (Image: Graham Brown)

The game changed in the 67th minute when an altercation with Vics winger Aedan Coode saw a Millbrook player red-carded for a headbutt on him, his second yellow.

Millbrook also had a player sin-binned for a comment to the referee.

This took the pressure off Vics, who flourished — playing some lovely football.

They were rewarded in the 84th minute with a second from Charlie Marsek, who slotted home beautifully from eight yards out.

Millbrook, who had not had a single second half effort on goal, then scored with an overhead finish, giving Vics some late jitters in the 13 minutes of added time allocated, but were well marshalled by their man-of-the-match, Callum Chase, to see out the game.