THE Isle of Wight's trio of Wessex League clubs produced a hat-trick of big wins to leave their fans full of hope.

At the sharp end of the Premier, Cowes Sports grabbed three vital points away at Bournemouth Poppies, while in Division 1, Newport moved up to second with an excellent victory over fourth-placed Downton, this afternoon (Saturday).

Perhaps the result of the day, though, was achieved by relegation-threatened East Cowes Vics at Ash United, who halted a miserable winless run stretching back to early September, numbering 19 games.

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Cowes Sports, with one of the worst away records in the Premier, resoundingly beat the Poppies 3-0 on the road, with Finley Phillips scoring twice and Jared Wetherick the other, in an excellent performance.

Isle of Wight County Press: Today's Bournemouth Poppies v Cowes Sports team sheet.Today's Bournemouth Poppies v Cowes Sports team sheet. (Image: Contributed)

 

Although they remain third bottom, the Yachtsmen closed the gap with Bournemouth to a point and are in touch with several clubs just above them. 

Meanwhile, Newport moved to within a point of top spot, occupied by New Milton Town — but with four games in hand on the New Forest club, following their 2-0 over Downton.

Second half goals from Jordan Browne and substitute Rafferty Boyd-Kerr sealed the points for Port at Smallbrook Stadium.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Newport v Downton team sheet today (Saturday).The Newport v Downton team sheet today (Saturday). (Image: Contributed)

East Cowes Vics — who went into the game wih confidence from the point they gained in their previous game — pulled off a superb 2-1 win at Ash United, with goals from Sam Cant and a penalty from new signing Harrison Taylor.

Vics, still third bottom, cut the deficit with Whitchurch United, the team directly above them, to three points, and four behind Ash United, with three games in hand on them.

They could make up the gap by beating mid table Totton and Eling, at Beatrice Avenue, on Tuesday evening.

READ MORE: Vital six-pointers for all three Isle of Wight Wessex clubs TODAY

In Division 1 of the Island League, Shanklin won their game in hand over Whitecroft and Barton Sports to extend the lead to three points.

The Seasiders had a tough game at home to Northwood St Johns — a force in this season's Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy — beating them 2-1 at the County Ground.

With nine games left and no fixtures against W&B, the job of retaining the league title is in their hands.

Third placed Cowes Sports Reserves were held 1-1 at home to Bembridge, while West Wight closed the gap with them to a point after they thumped bottom side Ryde Saints 4-0.

In Division 2, East Cowes Vics Reserves went level on points with Ventnor at the top, but remain second on goal difference, following their 2-1 win at Osborne Coburg.

Third place High Park hammered Seaview 8-0 and could go second on goal difference if they win their game in hand on Vics.

  • For a full match report and pictures from the Newport game against Downton, grab a copy of this Friday's County Press.