East Cowes Vics in dreamland — Islanders secure Wessex Premier promotion

Yahoo

03-05-2025

EAST Cowes Vics have carved their name with pride into a new chapter of Isle of Wight football history by gaining promotion through the Wessex League Division 1 play-offs on penalties.
The Islanders, who had to earn promotion to the Premier the hard way this afternoon (Saturday).
Scroll down for video
After defeating Alresford Town away on Wednesday (April 30), Vics travelled to Surrey and beat the team which finished second in the table, Frimley Green.
Ft @official_FGFC 1-1 @ecvafc 2nd half was very scrappy, Frimley through everything at Vics ,scored straight from the corner right at the death. So penalties it is. Your Play off winners are @ecvafc pic.twitter.com/n0N2rrNPce
— ThoseWhiteLines (@ThoseWhiteLines) May 3, 2025
In a goalless first half at the KBO Stadium, Vics had arguable the best efforts to break the deadlock.
Former Cowes Sports favourite, Gareth Bricknell, rolled back the years to produce an excellent free kick in the 25th minute, which the Frimley keeper had to tip round the post.
Vics in action at Frimley Green. (Image: Those White Lines) And an overhead kick by the ever-dangerous Scott Jones, went just wide a minute before the interval.
Your @WessexLeague Div 1 Play Off Final Winners @ecvafc pic.twitter.com/FAGUoO6ZYU
— ThoseWhiteLines (@ThoseWhiteLines) May 3, 2025
Vics keeper Alex Ram produced a smart save early in the half too, behind the division's meanest defence.
Although the home side had the better of the possession, you would not think they were the club with a playing squad double that of the underdogs, Vics.
Alex Smith gave his side plenty of motivation going into the second half, with Elliot Wheeler scoring with a side-footed drive from ten yards out, in the 49th minute.
@ecvafc 5 smashes it home 1-0 pic.twitter.com/EJAqQ2CoCR
— ThoseWhiteLines (@ThoseWhiteLines) May 3, 2025
A minute later, after the wild celebrations had died down, Ram was in action again to deny Frimley.
Vics almost gave themselves some breathing space just after the hour mark, when Josh Neale fired inches over from a free kick 25 yards out.
Ram, who has had another outstanding season in goal for Vics, produced a superb reaction save from a close range header in the 70th minute.
It was all hands to pump as Frimley peppered the Vics box with long, hopeful balls — but well defended as the game entered six minutes of added on time.
(Image: Those White Lines) Into the third minute of stoppage time, Frimley Green levelled, directly from a corner — the team's first defensive error of the match.
Both teams saw out the final few minutes as it went to penalties.
Frimley missed the first and Ram saved the third and, with some efficient finishing from the spot, Vics wrapped up promotion 4-1 on penalties.
Vics will now be hoping to make it a memorable double by beating Cowes Sports in the Isle of Wight Gold Cup final, at Westwood Park, in a week's time.