All three of our Isle of Wight Wessex League sides were in action this afternoon (Saturday, January 18), with Vics and Cowes winning three points, but a day to forget for Newport.

Cowes Sports 4-0 Laverstock and Ford

The Yachtsmen were almost off to a perfect start after a free kick on the right of the box by Finley Phillips found Charlie Marsek, who put the ball in the back of the net on four minutes.

However, the ref pulled the play back for a free-kick, deeming that Phillips had slipped and kicked the ball against his foot – disallowing the goal.

The Islanders’ opening goal finally came just before the half-hour mark.

The ball was given away by a Laverstock defender cheaply to Jordan Cooke, who played the ball right to Jordan Browne and onto John MCKIE, open inside the box, slotting the ball bottom corner.

Two minutes later, Cowes thought they had doubled their lead after a ball whipped in by Jake Wright found Callum Chase for a tap-in off the post, but the linesman raised his flag.

Just before half-time, a long ball forward by keeper Ed Hatt missed Browne and a Laverstock defender, instead finding Marsek, who took it into the box and was brought down.

MCKIE stopped up and placed it into the bottom right.

The Yachtsmen made it 3-0 ten minutes into the second half, as Browne, with his back to goal, laid it off to George CARTER-KNIGHT, whose first-time shot found the net.

Cowes made it four moments before 90 was up, with a ball played through to Carter-Knight on the left of the box, who crossed in back post to pick out Jared TOUT-WALTERS to head home.

Co-manager Ian Potts said he was “really happy” with the Yachtsmen’s performance, with the side looking ahead to next Saturday (January 25), when they travel to Blackfield and Langley.

Newport 0-3 Ash United

Port flew out of the blocks for the first 20 minutes, having a goal ruled out for offside, a one-on-one chance by Kai Grace not taken and Joe Craig’s left-footed shot parried away.

Keeper Leon Pitman was rarely troubled in the early moments, even taking the chance to show off some cheeky footwork to turn an Ash striker one way and then the other.

The game turned just before half-time when the visitors were awarded a penalty after a tug of an attacker’s shorts brought him down in the box.

Pitman was able to get a hand on the penalty kick, but he could not keep it out.

Mickey Thompsett was sinbinned for protesting after the linesman raised his flag during an Ash attack before bringing it back down, resuming play, and bringing the flag back up again.

During the confusion, Thompsett was brought down by an Ash player already on a booking, prompting the Newport left-back to argue with the linesman.

As a result, Joe Butcher came on to cover Thompsett’s position, but Port conceded straight from a corner not too soon after.

Even the first appearance of Jez Conway, signed from Cowes Sports, was not enough to bring Port back into the game, as seven minutes from time, Ash made it three.

The attacker waltzed through the home side’s defence in a wonderful individual effort.

Port will welcome Romsey Town on Wednesday evening (January 22) before a quick turnaround and an away trip to AFC Aldermaston on Saturday.

Romsey Town 0-1 East Cowes Vics

East Cowes Vics continued their impressive push for promotion from Division One with a hard-fought victory over Romsey Town.

The result maintains their six-point cushion in the play-off places and keeps their promotion dreams very much alive.

Travelling to Romsey, Vics knew the importance of securing all three points, however, it was the home side who began the brighter of the two teams.

For the first 20 minutes, Romsey applied pressure, and their persistence almost paid off when they appealed loudly for a penalty.

The referee waved play on, much to the display of the home supporters and the relief of Vics’ defence.

As the half wore on, Vics began to find their footing, and the decisive moment came in the dying seconds of the first 45.

Harrison Yates stepped up to deliver a perfect cross into the box and, rising at the back post, Rafferty BOYD-KERR timed his jump to direct his header past the Romsey keeper.

The second half saw the Islanders show determination, thwarting Romsey’s best attempts to get back into the game.

Looking ahead, Vics will return to Beatrice Avenue on Saturday, where they will face mid-table Cove.