THE first proper Saturday of the new football season proved to be a pretty good one for the three Isle of Wight clubs.

Cowes Sports remain unbeaten after their opening two Wessex League Premier games, with another draw — 1-1 in their first home game, entertaining Hamworthy Recreation, at the newly-named Zilch Waste Stadium (Westwood Park), yesterday.

Scott McFarlane, who has hit the ground running in front of goal so far, saw a ninth minute strike hit the crossbar, before stopper Ed Hatt superbly tipped over a Hamworthy header ten minutes later.

Then Will Bridi is put through one-on-one by Tout, but the keeper makes a brilliant stop with his foot to deny Cowes first blood.

But the visitors were on top from then on — eventually taking the lead in the 39th minute, when a speculative long range effort sneaked into the bottom corner past Hatt.

Hamworthy should have doubled their advantage just before half-time from the penalty spot, but Hatt pulled off a vital save to keep the Yachtsmen in it.

Cowes came out the blocks well in the second half, levelling in the 54th minute through Bridi, who poked the loose ball home from six yards out.

Three minutes later, Wright sees his accurate passed shot superbly saved by the visiting keeper.

It was a well controlled second half from Cowes, who dictated the tempo of the game.

In Division 1 of the Wessex League, East Cowes Vics — who so unluckily missed out on the play-offs last season on goal difference — got their season up and running with a 2-1 victory over Hamworthy United, at Beatrice Avenue.

After an excellent pre season, manager Alex Smith had a full squad to select from — but it was a 'rusty', but energetic performance.

After a tentative start, the only decent effort of note early on was when Josh Neale just missed the target after a great move.

But it was Hamworthy who took the lead with a close range shot, smashed high into the net after 33 minutes. 

But Vics responded well — equalising in the 42nd minute, when a powerful Jacob Reynolds strike was deflected nicely into the path of Caleb Neale, who slotted home from three yards out.

The second half started very cat and mouse, but Elliott Wheeler made a crucial last ditch block on 55 minutes.

It looked like the game was going to end all square, but with 90 minutes on the clock, Vics forward Aedan Coode made a slide rule pass for Neale to toe-poke under the keeper to earn a last gasp victory.

Newport made it two wins out of two with a late winner at Ash United.

Port started the game without captain Jordan Browne Ji Nash and player-manager Joe Butcher, who failed a late fitness test.

However, Newport dug in and found a way to win at Ash, a happy hunting ground for the Islanders the past three seasons.

In a very disjointed and error strewn first half, Newport dominated possession and looked dangerous on the attack.

But it was Ash which created the better chances, which saw Leon Pitman pull off a stunning save to keep it goalless at half-time.

With the game looking more and more likely to become a frustrating draw, Newport took the lead when Harri Catania burst into the box and finished well from an angle.

But a soft free kick conceded on the edge of the box was scored, to bring the sides level.

To Port's credit, they pushed for the winner, but Ash also looked dangerous, forcing another outstanding save from Pitman.

But in the 95th minute, a free kick to the far post was met by Michael Thompsett, who buried his header to make it 2-1 to the delight of the travelling fans.

Division 1 of the Island League also got under way on Saturday, with defending champions Whitecroft and Barton Sports edging Ventnor 2-1 at Watcombe Bottom, while last season's runners up, West Wight, who pushed W&B right to the wire, hammered Binstead & COB 5-0 in Freshwater. 

SATURDAY'S RESULTS (AUGUST 10)

Wessex League Premier Division — Cowes Sports 1, Hamworthy Rec 1.

Wessex League, Division 1 — East Cowes Vics 2, Hamworthy United 1; Ash United 1, Newport 2.

Island League, Division 1 — Bembridge 1, Osborne Coburg 5; Brading Town 3, Northwood St Johns 1; Vectis v Wootton (home win walkover); Ventnor 1, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 2; West Wight 5, Binstead & COB 0; Shanklin 2, Cowes Sports Reserves 1.

Combination 1 — Shanklin Reserves 0, Sandown & Lake Reserves 2; Bembridge Reserves 1, High Park 5; Binstead & COB Reserves v Northwood St Johns Reserves (home win walkover); ECS Reserves 4, Ventnor Reserves 1; Osborne Reserves 2, Brading Town Reserves 4.

FIXTURES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13

Wessex League Premier Division — AFC Portchester v Cowes Sports (7.30pm); Wessex League, Division 1 — Clanfield v East Cowes Vics (7.30pm).

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

Wessex League Premier Division — Cowes Sports v Hythe & Dibden; Wessex League, Division 1 — Newport v New Milton Town; Totton & Eling v East Cowes Vics; Island League, Division 1 — Bembridge v Whitecroft & Barton Sports; Brading Town v Cowes Sports Reserves; Shanklin v Wootton; Vectis v Northwood St Johns; Ventnor v Binstead & COB; Combination 1 — Bembridge Reserves v West Wight Reserves; Binstead & COB Reserves v Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves; ECS Reserves v High Park Reserves; Osborne Coburg Reserves v Shanklin Reserves.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20

Hampshire Senior Cup, first round — Romsey Town v Cowes Sports (7.30pm); Millbrook v Newport (7.45pm); Island League, Division 1 — Binstead & COB v Cowes Sports Reserves; Brading Town v West Wight.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21

Hampshire Senior Cup, first round — East Cowes Vics v Folland Sports (7.45pm); Island League, Division 1 — Ventnor v Bembridge; Combination 1 — Shanklin Reserves v Ventnor Reserves; West Wight Reserves v Binstead & COB Reserves.