East Cowes result secondary as football player collapses

DIVISION ONE

East Cowes Vics 3, Andover Town 3

A MEDICAL emergency in the closing stages of East Cowes Vics’ game at the weekend put a damper on a steely performance from the hosts.

But it was an overwhelming sense of relief that punctuated the occasion, when the Andover player recovered from what looked like a very urgent situation.

It was the Vics who started the brighter of the two sides during their firecracker of a home fixture against Andover Town.

Precocious left back, Kade Woodford, whipped a series of dangerous balls into the box during the early exchanges ­— a portent of things to come.

On the 6th minute, Harry Catania won himself a free kick, and it was another delectable delivery from Woodford that found CATANIA, who drilled home low past the keeper.

The home side sought to double their advantage, but it was the visitors who registered the second goal of the game on 17 minutes ­— tapping in from two yards.

Approaching the half-hour mark, another testing cross from Woodford picked out Jimmi Burton alone in the box, but the Vics striker spurned the chance to restore his team’s advantage.

A minute later, the pendulum of possession swung in favour of the visitors, and on the 37th minute, they took a deserved lead.

After the break, an early save from Karl Steinborn-Busse denied the visitors a two-goal cushion.

Toby Snow and Brandon Hayward both replied and tested Steinborn-Busse’s opposite number, but it was BURTON who finally bested the Andover keeper.

Flynn Jones and Harrison Yates combined well to set the Vics striker up for his 71st minute equaliser.

Above: Harri Catania scores Vics' opening goal. Picture by Graham Brown.

Below: Celebrations as East Cowes score their third to make it 3-3. Picture by Graham Brown.

Parity lasted just three minutes before Vics were trailing again, and the home side almost conceded another in the 78th minute ­— Steinborn-Busse denying the Andover forward in search of his hattrick.

The visitors flashed a shot wide five minutes later, and in added time, Vics secured the point their plucky performance deserved.

The home side pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded when Harrison Yates put a fine ball into the box, and Toby SNOW was there to finish it off.

In the dying embers of the game, the East Cowes outfit very nearly snatched all three points.

Yates was played in by Jones, but his fierce shot found the keeper’s gloves.

The whistle was blown some time after an Andover player had collapsed to the ground near the half-way line.

Players and members of both sides rushed to his aid, and fortunately he was able to sit up after more than ten minutes lying motionless on the ground.

The match was abandoned with less than two minutes of added time to play.

In the Wessex League Premier Division, Cowes Sports endured a difficult afternoon at home to Hamble Club on Tuesday.

Skipper Finley PHILLIPS stepped up and scored from a free kick to bring the Yachtsmen level, but his team were down to nine men by the time the final whistle blew and were forced to share the points.

They have now taken four points from their first four games. 

In Division One, Newport were in fine form once again at the weekend — building upon their 4-1 thumping of Romsey Town with an equally dominant display at Petersfield Town. 

The free scoring play of pre-season continued into their second league match, with Jacob REYNOLDS, Jordan BROWNE and Joe CRAIG all netting — the latter bagging a brace. 

The game ended 4-1, with the result never in doubt. 
On Tuesday, Newport made it three on the bounce with a 5-1 victory over Totton & Eling.
Jordan BROWNE scored a hattrick — netting his first of the evening on five minutes, and his second three minutes later. 

The hosts pulled one back, but Newport were 3-1 up going into the break — Connor KELLY converting from the penalty spot. 

Joe BUTCHER slotted home his side’s forth goal.

The result sees Newport top of the table, having scored 13 and conceded only three. 

RESULTS
SATURDAY
Wessex League, Division 1: Petersfield Town 1, Newport 4; East Cowes Vics 1, Andover Town 1.
TUESDAY
Wessex League, Premier Division: Cowes Sports 1, Hamble Club 1.
Wessex League, Division 1: Totton & Eling 1, Newport 5.