East Cowes Vics were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 loss away at Millbrook in midweek by stepping back into winning ways today (Saturday) in Wessex League Division One.
Fellow Division One side Newport were due to play Romsey, but saw their game postponed due to travel issues.
Meanwhile, Cowes Sport faced Brockenhurst in the Premier Division (see below).
East Cowes Vics 6 - 0 Andover Town
Vics welcomed Andover Town to Beatrice Avenue on a cold and very foggy December day.
The Islanders started very strongly, Ji Nash coming close on three minutes, with the keeper making a fingertip save, and Jordi Chapman’s effort from 25 yards was well saved on 10 minutes.
In the 16th, Andover’s first visit into the Vics half should have resulted in a goal, but Reggie Hodan’s effort was easily saved by keeper Alex Ram.
Vics should have been ahead just after the half-hour mark after Nash found himself clean through on goal – but could have pulled the ball back to Jez Conway, who had an open goal – but decided to shoot, and the keeper saved.
With the fog getting thicker, Vics took the lead one minute before the break.
Harry Taylor’s ball into the box was rifled home, with Jacob REYNOLDS emerging from the mist in celebration.
Into added time, Vics found a second through debutant Jez CONWAY, who signed from Cowes in midweek, as his unstoppable scissor kick flew into the Andover net.
The second half got underway, and within two minutes, Vics had extended their lead.
A great run down the left from Harrisons Yates and a precision ball pulled back to CONWAY was fired powerfully into the corner for number three.
Vics started to run away with the game in the 55th. Conway was fouled in the box before REYNOLDS doubled his tally for the day from the spot.
Manager Alex Smith now had the opportunity to make several substitutions, but Vics were hungry for more, with REYNOLDS completing his hat-trick just after the hour mark with a fine header from a corner.
With the fog still hanging heavily across Beatrice Avenue, Adam VOLLER completed Andover’s misery with a cracking goal in the last minute.
Looking ahead, Vics will travel to midtable Fawley AFC on Wednesday (December 6).
Cowes Sports 1 - 0 Brockenhurst
In the difficult Westwood Park conditions, Cowes Sports welcomed promotion hopefuls Brockenhurst in the Premier Division.
The match got off to exciting start, at both the home side and the visitors saw chances crash off the woodwork.
The Yachtsmen found their goal through Ollie WEST, who expertly tucked away with a header from a corner in the 27th minute.
And that was how it stayed, right through to half time and beyond to the final whistle.
Cowes remain midtable, four points away from a play-off spot, and travel to struggling Blackfield & Langley on Tuesday evening (December 5).
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