08-03-2025
Port let two-goal lead slip — but find a late winner!
THE ISLE of Wight's three Wessex sides earned a result.
COWES SPORTS 2, BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES 2
In the Premier, it was the classic games of two halves — the Yachtsmen dominant in the first half, but they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with the Poppies.
Cowes dominated the first half, with Jared Tout-Walters and Jake Wright netting in the 28th and 32nd minutes respectively.
However, in the second half, they allowed the Poppies to score twice, against the run of play.
The first goal was an impressive strike curled past Ed Hatt in the 65th minute, followed by a header five minutes later.
Cowes' lack of concentration and assertiveness in their box from a lofted free-kick from the halfway line was to blame for the equaliser.
After the match, first team coach Mark Woodhouse said: "I'm frustrated because we were brilliant in the first half and executed our game plan well."
NEWPORT 3, WHITCHURCH UNITED 2
Meanwhile, in Division 1, Port got back to winning ways against struggling Whitchurch United at Beatrice Avenue in East Cowes.
Newport got off to a great start, with Kai Grace giving them the lead after ten minutes.
Other than a Ji Nash effort that went just wide four minutes before the break, Grace's goal divided the sides at half-time.
Newport gave themselves an important cushion on 56 minutes — a super strike from outside the box by Joe Butcher, 2-0.
But a mix-up at the back allowed Whitchurch to pull one back after 70 minutes.
Ten minutes later and all of Port's hard work dissolved away when they allowed Whitchurch to equalise, 2-2.
But the Islanders responded brilliantly — their skipper, Macauley Watterson scoring straight from a Joe Butcher corner with a deft header two minutes later.
RINGWOOD TOWN 1, EAST COWES VICS 1
East Cowes Vics drew 1-1 against Ringwood Town on Saturday.
Vics were looking to bounce back from a mid-week defeat, but were without several key players, including top scorer Jacob Reynolds.
Gareth Bricknell put the Vics ahead in the ninth minute, from a long ball by Zak Sullivan.
However, Vics couldn't hold the lead, with Ringwood's Lee Vint equalising in the 24th minute.
The Islanders had several chances to regain the lead, with Adam Voller and Josh Neale both going close, but were unable to find the net.
ALL THE RESULTS
TODAY (SATURDAY) Wessex League Premier: Cowes Sports 2, Bournemouth Poppies League Division 1: Ringwood Town 1, East Cowes Vics 1; Newport 3, Whitchurch United League Division 1: Northwood St Johns 1, Brading Town 3; Osborne Coburg 2, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3; Shanklin 2, Binstead & COB 1; Vectis 1, Bembridge 7; West Wight 1, Ventnor 2: High Park 7, Seaview 0; Niton 3, Newport Reserves 0; Sandown & Lake 1, Oakfield of Wight Junior B Cup: Ventnor A 2, Oakfield Reserves 1: Bembridge Reserves 2, Ventnor Reserves 0; Brading Town Reserves 1, West Wight Res 1; ECS Reserves 2, Sandown & Lake Res 1; High Park Res 5, Osborne Coburg Res 2; W&B Reserves v Binstead & COB Reserves (home win walkover). Combination 2: Newchurch Reserves 5, High Park A 0; Ryde Saints Reserves 2, Bembridge A 4; West Wight A 4, Niton Reserves 0.
