SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION 1

                            EAST COWES VICS 1, ANDOVER TOWN 1

VICS forward Sam Kirby was the hero for the second time in as many games to help the Isle of Wight side end a positive week with a point at high-flying Andover Town.

After playing so well against Andover when the two sides met in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup at Beatrice Avenue earlier this month, with the visitors shading it on that occasion, Vics were better prepared for Saturday’s battle.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ji Nash on the attack for Vics at Beatrice Avenue on Saturday.Ji Nash on the attack for Vics at Beatrice Avenue on Saturday.

Up against a side unbeaten in their previous seven games, and Vics full of confidence after a great away point at second placed Folland Sports the previous Saturday and a midweek win at Totton and Eling, it looked set to be a good game.

The visitors started the brighter, but Vics came into the game on 18 minutes when a great Jordan Chapman cross into the box picked out new signing from Cowes, Aedan Coode, who jinked and turned and hit a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, which was cleared after a goalmouth scramble.

Isle of Wight County Press: Vics captain Ryan Gregory (wearing five) goes for goal.Vics captain Ryan Gregory (wearing five) goes for goal.

A rasping 25-yard effort by Chapman on the half hour had Andover’s keeper at full stretch, then Ryan Gregory’s toe poke was deflected wide, following good work by Henry West.

Ji Nash had a couple of good chances well saved, then Kirby thought he had broken the deadlock, but the keeper made a superb point blank save to deny him on half time.

Andover started the second half brightly, but it was Vics who opened the scoring on 56 minutes when an excellent ball by Chapman over Andover’s defence found KIRBY, who made space for a shot into the corner.

Isle of Wight County Press: Sam Kirby opens the scoring for East Cowes Vics.Sam Kirby opens the scoring for East Cowes Vics.

Vics were on top now and looked the more likely to score next, with efforts from Nash and Gregory saved.

Jayden Yates, also making his debut, made an instant impact as a 65th minute sub, putting the ball in the net five minutes later, but it flagged for offside.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ji Nash in the thick of the action.Ji Nash in the thick of the action.

Moving into the final 15 minutes, Vics keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse had to make a smart tip over from a deflected shot.

But from the resulting corner, Andover’s Josh Henson stole a yard on his marker to head home from point blank range to level it.

Isle of Wight County Press: Coode, on debut, in action for Vics against Andover Town.Coode, on debut, in action for Vics against Andover Town.

Andover were lifted by the effort and looked for a winner, but Vics were still full of running and on 83 minutes, Coode picked out Jimmi Burton with a great ball, but the effort was saved again.

The Andover keeper came to the rescue again a minute later and sub Brad Young, who was clean through on goal, wasted his chance to win it by taking a heavy touch.

East Cowes Vics: Steinborne-Busse, Newbold, White, H.West, Gregory (capt), Coode, Chapman, Hayward, Saunders, Kirby, Nash. Subs: Burton, Young, Greenslade, Furness, Yates.