IT WAS a fruitful weekend of football for two of the Isle of Wight’s Wessex League sides, with East Cowes Vics and Newport both recording wins.
In the Premier Division, Cowes Sports travelled to take on second bottom Christchurch, following a superb draw at fourth-placed AFC Portchester last weekend and a solid midweek win at home to bottom side Lymington Town.
The hosts netted inside the opening five minutes and made it 2-0 just three minutes later.
The first came from a cross into the box from out wide, and the second came from a header from a set piece.
The Islanders rallied, and pressed for a goal of their own, but Christchurch always offered a threat on the counter and frustrated the visitors.
Still trailing by two goals at the break, Cowes Sports scored in the 68th minute – Scott McFarlane slotting the ball home from a drilled cross.
But despite dominating the ball, the Islanders couldn’t find the leveller, and the game ended 2-1.
In Division 1, East Cowes Vics now find themselves in a play-off position after beating league strugglers Aldermaston.
Jacob Reynolds opened the scoring on 36 minutes, only for Aldermaston to hit back before the break and restore parity.
Second half, Ji Nash netted on 58 minutes to give his side the lead once again, and Joshua Neale scored 22 minutes thereafter to see the game out.
The game ended 3-1, with the Islanders climbing to 5th place.
Fellow Division 1 side, Newport, meanwhile, got the better of Frimley Green – winning 2-0.
The Islanders started on the front foot, creating chance after chance.
On 12 minutes, Jordan Brown produced a fine finish to break the deadlock from the edge of the box.
The Islanders continued to dominate, with Joe Butcher, Browne and Sonny Myram linking up well, and Harry Catania proving a constant threat.
A second goal came from fullback Mikey Thompsett – his first for the club.
Newport went into the break two goals to the good, but were a shade wasteful to not add some further gloss to the scoreline.
They squandered further chances in the second half but did well to limit the opposition and see the game out.
Stopper Leon Pitman was at his busiest in the closing stages of the game, making a series of vital blocks to protect the scoreline.
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