Wessex League round-up: Saturday, January 26

January 26 was a good Saturday for Island Wessex League sides, with wins for Wessex Premier League Cowes Sports and Division 1 Newport and a late draw for Vics.

The Yachtsmen won their first game of 2019 at a wet and windswept Westwood Park with a one-nil win over midtable Brockenhurst Town. The win also marked their first victory under new manager, John McKie.

The Yachtsmen broke the deadlock on 27 minutes, when a corner was swung in from the right, causing the Badger’s defence all manner of difficulties, and captain Gareth Bricknell pounced to bury the ball into the back of the net from close range.

The Islanders remain in nineteenth place in the table with twenty-three points from twenty-seven games, with only goal difference separating them from the team above.

In Wessex League 1, Newport won one-nil against midtable Fawley, with Jordan Browne scoring for the second Saturday in succession. The goal came in the twenty-eighth minute, when Browne showed good ball skills on the edge of the penalty area after latching on to a long clearance and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper from ten yards out.

Port had numerous opportunities to extend their lead, but all were unfortunately wasted. The Oilers twice hit the woodwork at the other end of the pitch, in injury time at the end of the first half, and in the 89th minute.

After the game, Port manager, Andy Sampson, declared himself “frustrated” at his side’s failure to win the game comfortably, blaming a lack of confidence and composure in front of goal. The win lifts Port to sixth in Wessex League Division 1.

East Cowes Vics were very fortunate to come away with a point against Folland Sports. The planemakers took the lead just before half time, which they maintained right until the third minute of injury time, when substitute Jimmi Burton equalised to make the score one-one.
Vics are now lie in tenth position in Wessex League Division One.