Island Teams Blown Away By Gales

It proved a disappointing weekend for all three of the Isle of Wight’s Wessex League football teams, with Newport and East Cowes Vics losing, while Cowes Sports’ game was called off due to the adverse weather conditions. 

Newport’s hopes of beating arch rivals Bemerton Heath Harlequins to go top of Division One were blown away with a 3-1 defeat in gale force conditions at the Smallbrook Stadium. 

But Port co-manager Steve Brougham was honest enough to admit:

“To be fair, the best team won. They played the conditions better than us, and were quicker and stronger. It was difficult, but even so, we didn’t play as well as we can. However, we are still in a good position so we have got to put this defeat behind us and move on.”

Bemerton led 1-0 at half time, then added two more before Newport scored a consolation goal 10 minutes from time through Connor Kelly.

East Cowes Vics suffered a 5-1 defeat at Millbrook in Division One, then found themselves stranded on the mainland for several hours after the game due to the car ferries being postponed. Manager Richie Woodburn reflected:

“It was a pretty miserable day all round. We had to make a few enforced changes, and I don’t think the scoreline gave a true reflection of the game. We virtually camped on the edge of their penalty are in the second half but they had three shots and scored with all three.” 

Toby Cousins scored Vics’ consolation, with Richie adding:

“He took his goal really well, but we missed a couple of good chances, so all round it as a bad day.”

Cowes Sports’ Premier League game at home to Alresford Town was postponed because the mainland side were unable to make the trip to the Island due to the adverse weather.