THE Isle of Wight football scene was given a welcome autumnal boost with a rare collector's item — all three Wessex sides picking up three points.

Cowes Sports continued their mini-revival in the Premier Division, with a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers, Blackfield & Langley, at the Zilch Waste Stadium, Cowes, this afternoon (Saturday, October 5).

The Yachtsmen had to win it the hard way, coming from behind, but dominating the game once the tide had turned.

The Islanders got off to a decent start, by forcing a couple of early corners, then Jez Conway saw his back post header fly into the side netting.

But the visitors, playing with the wind behind them, took the lead with a shot from outside the box, drilled low into the corner past Ed Hatt.

The wind was playing havoc with Cowes's long balls, but John McKie had a chance on 40 minutes — his lofted effort just clearing the bar.

However, the crowd was very unhappy the referee gave nothing when the keeper clattered McKie as he shot.

But two minutes later, it was all forgotten when Conway popped up to level it with a smart head direct from a George Carter-Knight corner.

A few minutes after the restart, Will Bridi fired over, but when another of his efforts was blocked, the ball fell invitingly for Ryan Oatley, who smashed the ball home from 30 yards, to put the blues in front on 57 minutes.

Then a Carter-Knight effort was pinged just wide, before a late onslaught from the visitors — but Cowes held out for a vital victory.

In Division 1 of the Wessex League, East Cowes Vics regained top spot — a point clear of Alresford Town with a game in hand — after beating Fawley Town away.

Buoyed by winning the Wessex 'Team of the Month' award for September, Vics chalked up another big win on the road, by 2-1.

Vics were much the better side in the first half — creating numerous chances, squandered Toby Snow, Caleb Neale, Scott Jones and Jacob Reynolds, after Fraser Law, midweek's cup hero, saved well early on.

But against the run of play, Fawley took the lead in first half injury time.

Vics came out with a spring in their step for the second half, but it was Law who was called into action again.

Raff Boyd-Kerr was unlucky with a saved effort on the hour, but Vics equalised five minutes when an inch perfect Liam Triggs through ball found Neale, who coolly lobbed the onrushing keeper to score in off the post.

In what was an outstanding, dominant second half, Vics were robbed again when Zak Sullivan's corner came back off the crossbar on 69 minutes and were then unlucky when Sam Kirby’s chip went just wide.

But Vics' patience was rewarded on 78 minutes when Caleb Neale bout Kirby in to finish neatly after a great move.

Improving Newport moved up to sixth, with two games in hand on the sides just below Vics, with a comfortable 3-0 win over Verwood Town at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes.

Newport gained control early on and could've scored after nine minutes with efforts kept from Kai Grace and Jai Nash.

But Port broke the deadlock on 20 minutes — a bullet header from Jordan Browne from a Joe Butcher free kick.

Just before the hour mark, man of the match Macaulay Watterson doubled Newport's lead with a good header.

In the 69th minute, the yellows made the game safe — Butcher was put through on goal, he used his strength to hold off a Verwood defender and finished coolly.  

TODAY'S RESULTS (SATURDAY)
Wessex League Premier Division: Cowes Sports 2, Blackfield & Langley 1.

Wessex League Division 1: Fawley 1, East Cowes Vics 2; Newport 3, Verwood Town 0.

Hampshire Saturday Trophy, first round: Northwood St Johns 2, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 4; Clanfield v Cowes Sports Reserves (away win walkover); 

Hampshire Saturday Vase, first round: West Wight Reserves 4, Niton 4 (West Wight Reserves won 6-5 on penalties); Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 1, Portchester Rovers 2.

Isle of Wight Challenge Cup, first round: Bembridge 2, West Wight 4; Shanklin 2, Brading Town 1.

Isle of Wight Junior A Cup, first round: High Park 0, ECS 1; Newport Reserves 2, Brading Town Reserves 7; Sandown & Lake Reserves 6, Seaview 2.

Island League Division 1: Binstead & COB 1, Vectis 4; Osborne Coburg 0, Ventnor 3.

Division 2: Newchurch 4, Pan Community 2.

Combination 1: ECS Reserves 1, Bembridge Reserves 3; High Park Reserves 1, Binstead & COB Reserves 2; Ventnor Reserves 2, Northwood St Johns Reserves 3.

Combination 2: High Park A 0, Niton Reserves 10; Ryde Saints Reserves 2, Sandown & Lake A 3.

FIXTURES — TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8
Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup, second round: Brading Town v Ventnor.