Vics keep promotion hopes alive by battering Totton and Eling

EAST Cowes Vics hit mid-table Totton and Eling for six to keep their hopes alive of making the Wessex League Division 1 play-offs.

EAST COWES VICS 6, TOTTON & ELING 0

Another good crowd at Beatrice Avenue saw Vics hang on to fifth spot in this potentially tricky encounter on Tuesday evening.

With the previous three games not going to plan, this was a must win for the Islanders, with Cove level on points with them and with a game in hand, following their 4-2 win over second bottom Andover Town on Tuesday.

With the game scheduled for a 7.45pm kick off and no sign of the opposition, the crowd of 108 were starting to wonder if they were going to see any football.

Eventually, at 19.30pm, Totton arrived with only nine players.

With Vics' two-man advantage and Totton having no substitutes to bring on, the result was only ever going to end up one way, with Jake Wright scoring a hat-trick.

Totton did well to hold Vics to 3-0 in the first half and only concede a further three late on the match.

The other goals were scored by Jordan Chapman, Charlie Hart and Jacob Reeynolds.

Vics ran out comfortable winners, but for 30 minutes the nine men of Totton worked extremely hard, with their keeper, Nate Taylor, making several top class saves to prevent a cricket score.

After the game, Vics fan Russ Chapman said: "Very difficult circumstances, but a very professional display. Three tough league games to come."

FAWLEY 0, NEWPORT 1

Newport bounced back from their 7-2 hammering at Aldermaston on Saturday with a 1-0 victory on the road at Fawley.

Former Vics player Harry Catania was the man of the match in a game against traditionally difficult opposition — with a front four all aged 18 years or younger.

This tight affair had the hallmarks of it being won by a single strike — which proved to be the case, with Port's Leon Pitman the busier of the two keepers.

Newport defender Henry West became a potent attacking force as the game went on — and up he popped in the 75th minute to tap home, thanks to great work by substitute Lennon Shepherd.

ALL THE RESULTS

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Wessex League Premier Division: AFC Stoneham 1, Cowes Sports 0.
Division 1: AFC Aldermaston 7, Newport 2; Hamworthy Recreation 3, East Cowes Vics 1.

Hampshire Combination and Development League, Division 1: East Cowes Vics Reserves v Fawley Reserves (home win walkover).

Isle of Wight League, Division 1: Ventnor 0, Bembridge 2; Cowes Sports Reserves 4, ECS 0; Northwood St Johns 0, West Wight 5; Vectis 4, High Park 1; Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3, Brading Town 0.
Division 2: Niton 5, Newport Reserves 2; Seaview 2, Ryde Saints 1.
Combination 1: Binstead & COB Reserves 4, Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 1; Brading Town Reserves 14, Vectis Reserves 0; ECS Reserves 4, Shanklin Reserves 1; Osborne Coburg Reserves 5, Bembridge Reserves 1; Sandown and Lake Reserves 6, Northwood St Johns Reserves 2; Ventnor Reserves 0, West Wight Reserves 3
Combination 2: Wootton Reserves 6, Niton Reserves 1; Ventnor Reserves A v High Park FC Reserves  (away win walkover); West Wight A 3, Newchurch Reserves 0.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

Wessex League, Division 1: Fawley 0, Newport 1; East Cowes Vics 6, Totton & Eliing 0.

Isle of Wight League, Division 1: West Wight 3, Brading Town 2; Whitecroft & Barton Sports 7, Ventnor 2.

Combination 2: Niton Reserves 7, Ventnor Reserves A 0.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

Isle of Wight League, Division 1: High Park v ECS (away win walkover); Northwood St Johns 2, Shanklin 3.

Combination 1: Brading Town Reserves 0, Bembridge Reserves 1; Binstead & COB Reserves 0, ECS Reserves 2; Osborne Coburg Reserves 2, Northwood St Johns Reserves 1; Sandown & Lake Reserves 2, Ventnor Reserves 1; Vectis Reserves 0, West Wight Reserves 5.

Combination 2: Wootton Reserves 2, Newchurch Reserves 1; West Wight A 2, Ryde Saints Reserves 0.