THE fate of East Cowes Vics in the promotion hunt may no longer be in their hands, but they are battling hard to make sure they do their part in the shake-up with another victory.
ROMSEY TOWN 0, EAST COWES VICS 2
Going into this Wessex League Division 1 game, knowing three points were vital in their quest for a play-off place, they started superbly, with Josh Neale denied inside the opening 30 seconds.
Vics were hungry for the opening goal and a ball from Callum Chase across the box, fell to Jacob Reynolds, who drilled the ball into the corner after two minutes.
Raff Boyd Kerr was unlucky on 15 minutes, before Chase’s header just cleared the crossbar two minutes' later.
Chase then produced a spectacular goal clearance, which was celebrated like he's scored.
On the half hour mark, Vics doubled their advantage.
Reynolds showed tenacity to win the ball back in midfield, before setting up Ji Nash, who rounded the keeper and tucked the ball home from a tight angle.
Reynolds and Neale had further efforts, but despite Vics' dominance, Romsey had a great chance, but Alex Ram pulled off a great save.
In the second half Vics showed their grittier side — every player working hard and restricting Romsey to scraps.
Toby Snow, who had a brilliant game, came closest to scoring with a mazy run and shot in the 64th minute, which went just wide.
Chase blotted his copybook by pulling back a Romsey striker and was dismissed.
Vics were cheered on by more than 70 travelling fans — more than they were getting for most home games in recent seasons.
In the Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports ended their season with a well-earned 1-1 draw at fellow mid-table outfit Petersfield Town, to see them finish their league campaign.
It was their best finishing position since they were promoted from Wessex League Division 1 a decade ago.
The Yachtsmen got off to the better start, with skipper, Fin Phillips, forcing a save from the home keeper after seven minutes.
But mix-up between Ewan Cranwell and Ed Hatt, saw the former's back pass evade the keeper for an easy tap in for Petersfield on 18 minutes.
After an hour, Cowes were starting exert some authority and had two shots blocked.
Eventually, the Islanders got their reward — an equaliser in the 83rd minute.
A corner from the left from Connor Kelly was met on the full by the unmarked Ollie West, who thumped his header home.
Despite a gruelling run of games going into the end of the Division 1 season, mid-table Newport gave high-flying Downton a tough examination at Beatrice Avenue in East Cowes.
Leon Pitman kept Port in the game by saving with his feet, before the 132-strong crowd gasped as they watched Sonny Myram's shot fly just over.
Downton opened the scoring just before half-time, then doubled their lead on 52 minutes to end the game 2-0.
TODAY'S RESULTS
Wessex League, Premier Division: Petersfield Town 1-1 Cowes Sports.
Division 1: Newport 0-2 Downton; Romsey Town 0-2 East Cowes Vics.
Isle of Wight League, Division 1: Bembridge 4-0 High Park; Cowes Sports Reserves 0-1 West Wight; ECS 2-1 Brading Town; Vectis 0-2 Whitecroft & Barton Sports.
Division 2: Ryde Saints 0-3 AFC Wootton; Sandown and Lake 0-4 Osborne Coburg; Seaview 1-2 Newchurch.
Combination 1: Bembridge Reserves v Ventnor Reserves; Brading Town Reserves 1-3 Whitecroft & Barton Reserves; Vectis Reserves 1-4 Sandown and Lake Reserves; West Wight Reserves 0-0 ECS Reserves.
Combination 2: High Park Reserves 3-3 Bembridge A; Niton Reserves 4-0 Newchuch Reserves; West Wight A 0-1 AFC Wootton Reserves
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