Isle of Wight derby played out in front of 565 in East Cowes

EAST COWES VICS 1, NEWPORT 0 

In front of a bumper crowd of 565 — the biggest in Division 1 of the Wessex League this season — Vics cemented their position in fifth with victory over their groundshare tenants. 

A big, noisy crowd welcomed both sides onto the pitch. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

East Cowes Vics' Raff Boyd-Kerr sees off Joe Butcher's challenge. (Image: Graham Brown) 

The last time these two sides met was on Boxing Day, where Newport earned bragging rights with a surprise 4-1 victory.

With just six points separating eighth and 16th in the division, Port went into the clash comfortably in 11th spot, with no relegation pressures or any realistic hope of making the play-offs.

The first ten minutes started cagey, with neither side able to conjure up a half decent chance.

Vics then started to dictate the play, with Port looking quite leggy early on, but the home side were unable to take advantage.

On the 15 minute mark, a misplaced Port pass in the middle of the park was picked up by Jez Conway, who played it down the right to Raff Boyd-Kerr, who jinxed inside the defender and was brought down in the box.

Conway stepped up to take the penalty, but placed it low and wide, hitting off the outside of the post and out for a goal kick.

Despite the setback, Vics continued to dominate play, whipping in plenty of crosses into the box, but consistently failing to find a man in red and white.

On the half hour mark, the ball ricocheted around the Port box before falling to Jacob Reynolds, who gently lifted the ball over keeper Leon Pitman, but his effort nestled on the top of the net.

Five minutes before the break, another good passage of Vics play found Josh Neale on the left, who played the ball, low and hard to the edge of the six-yard box, where Conway made up for his spot kick horror with a cool finish past Pitman.

Vics' Elliot Wheeler and Josh Younie of Newport (Image: Graham Brown)

The first half ended with keeper Alex Ram untested by the Port attack.

The second half began much the same as the first did, before Vics began to dominate again in midfield.

The height of the second half entertainment came in the 63rd minute, when Port coach Gary Streeter was shown a second yellow card for dissent, and was sent to the stands.

Streeter was also sent off in Port's fixture against Vics in April last season.

Vics continued to control the game, with Port forced to repel wave after wave of attacks, but without any serious chances materialising. 

Pitman used his feet more than his hands, regularly clearing long balls forward by Vics.

Port were reduced to ten men in the 77th minute, after defender Martin McDonough was sinbinned for dissent.

Vics' Jake Wright holds off Newport's Scott Barron (Image: Graham Brown)

The moment when emotions ran high and Port coach, Gary Streeter, received his second yellow card. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Ram eventually made his first save of the match just seconds from time, when a cross found a Port head and needed tipping over the bar.

It was big win for Vics, who should have scored more, but claimed all three points in the derby to go a step closer to promotion.

Vics are now 11 points clear of sixth-placed Cove, who have three games in hand.

Before kick off, there were presentations for long-serving East Cowes Vics players Harrison Yates and Toby Snow (100 appearance), Ji Nash (150) and Liam Newbold (200).

Up next, both sides travel away on Tuesday night, with Vics crossing The Solent to face Totton and Eling, while and Port head to Romsey Town.

Vics' Man of the Match (Image: Ross Chapman)

East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Yates, Wheeler, Chase (capt), Chapman, Wright, Boyd-Kerr, Conway, Reynolds, Neale. Subs: Hart, Newbold, Young, Nash, Marsek.

Newport: Pitman, Baron, Thompsett, Oatley, McDonough, Waterson, Butcher, Catania, Browne, Younie, Appell. Subs: Myram, Walsh, Page, Parsons, West.