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Bad luck and spot kick woes for East Cowes Vics in Wessex League

Sam Cant in action for East Cowes Vics at home to Whitchurch United. <i>(Image: Graham Brown)</i>
Sam Cant in action for East Cowes Vics at home to Whitchurch United. (Image: Graham Brown)

                           EAST COWES VICS 0, WHITCHURCH UNITED 2
EAST Cowes Vics went into Saturday’s clash with Whitchurch United feeling confident they could continue their solid start to the season hosting a side having lost four games so far.

However, with Vics not quite at the levels of previous weeks, which had seen them lose only one of their opening five Wessex Division 1 fixtures, it felt like an opportunity to climb the table spurned, according to boss, Richie Woodburn.

The first half was an even, goalless affair, with both sides missing guilt-edged chances — striker Sam Cant the main culprit, heading wide, and then over, from two pinpoint Kade Woodford crosses.

The second period started in a similar vein, but Vics gradually started to exert their authority on the game.

Isle of Wight County Press: Keelan Walsh in action for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United in the Wessex League. Photo: Graham Brown
Isle of Wight County Press: Keelan Walsh in action for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United in the Wessex League. Photo: Graham Brown

Keelan Walsh in action for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United in the Wessex League. Photo: Graham Brown (Image: Graham Brown)

With 15 minutes to go, Charlie Marsek was hauled down in the box and the referee award a spot kick without hesitation.

After a lengthy delay for the injured Marsek, returning skipper Liam Newbold blasted the resultant penalty against the crossbar.

Exasperated Woodburn was left stunned when his ide went behind to a sucker punch break a minute later.

Isle of Wight County Press: Liam Newbold about to take and miss a penalty for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United when the match was posed at 0-0. Photo: Graham Brown
Isle of Wight County Press: Liam Newbold about to take and miss a penalty for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United when the match was posed at 0-0. Photo: Graham Brown

Liam Newbold about to take and miss a penalty for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United when the match was posed at 0-0. Photo: Graham Brown (Image: Graham Brown)

A hopeful punt upfield was misjudged twice by the Vics backline, which allowed the Whitchurch forward to scurry through and beat keeper Alex Ram at his near post.

Vics upped their efforts to force a way back into the game — pushing the visitors back into their own half for long spells, but without really threatening the goal.

Vics were give late hope when the Whitchurch defender who conceded the penalty was sent off for his second yellow card.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jayden Yates in action for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United. Photo: Graham Brown
Isle of Wight County Press: Jayden Yates in action for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United. Photo: Graham Brown

Jayden Yates in action for East Cowes Vics against Whitchurch United. Photo: Graham Brown (Image: Graham Brown)

Pouring forward in their numbers to get an equaliser eventually cost them the second goal in the game’s dying embers, when a mistake by Jordan Chapman on the half-way line allowed the Whitchurch attacker through on goal — Rann saving his first attempt, which cruelly rebounded off the striker and into the roof of the net, to sum up their luck.

East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Woodford, White, Walsh, Marsek, Chapman (capt), H.Yates, Cant, Kettell, J.Yates. Subs: Newbold, Kilroy, Evans, Sheerin, Lacey.