○East Cowes Victoria1–1Andover Town

Prior to the match - Team news: injuries see Burkhill, Jerrard, Griffiths and Owen amongst others miss out Matty Morris in for his league debut.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The report below is courtesy of Russ Chapman of East Cowes Vics - Many thanks Russ !!

Vics welcomed Andover Town to Beatrice Avenue for this Wessex League division 1 confrontation. With the visitors sat in 2nd place in the league, Vics manager Richie Woodburn new this would be a tough task, one which was not made easier with key players missing, Jared Cousins who sustained a nasty injury on Tuesday evening, Liam Newbold still struggling with the injury he picked up at Tadley and the unavailable Aiden White, so a pack shuffle was required, Toby Snow slotting in at right back and Keelan walsh moving across to centre back.

It was Andover who came out of the blocks quickest and two very early chances for Matty Morris could have given Andover that early lead. In the 16th minute a peak at what was to follow later in the half, Andover skipper Brendan Holmes stood over the ball 20 yards from goal, his wonderful curling effort from a free kick looked destined for the top corner and would have got there but for a wonderful save from Vics keeper Alex Ram.

In the 25th minute the prolific Ben Emans, who normally scores at Beatrice Avenue, turned sharply and got off a great shot only to see Ram pull off another good save. Andover were really working hard to get themselves ahead, but to be fair, Vics, who never created a single effort on goal first half, were battling really hard.

In the 30th minute a great block from young full back Kade Woodford prevented the dangerous Malachi Johnson from opening the scoring, but two minutes later Woodfords foul on the edge of the area resulted in the referee awarding Andover a free kick, BRENDAN HOLMES daisy cutter effort fooled everyone and as Ram went down to smother the effort, the ball hit a divot in front of the diving keeper and the ball went over him and into the net. 0-1

Andover should have doubled their lead on 38 minutes, the normally reliable Emans, in front of an open goal somehow steered the ball wide.

HALF TIME 0-1

Vics had to improve second half and words spoken in the changing room must have woken the lads up, a wonderful move in the 52nd minute , Jordi Chapmans quality down the line found Ant Kettell who’s ball into Sam Cant was perfect and his effort was well save by Karl Steinborn-Busse, the Andover keepers first real action. Seven minutes later and Vics former keeper Steinborn-busse pulled off the save of the game when his dive and outstretched hand prevented Ant Kettells snapshot from leveling for Vics.In the 66th minute a great chance fell to Charlie Marsek , Vics young striker, but his effort at the far post went wide. Up to this point Vics were in control but the very busy Emans had three good chances for Andover the third bringing a wonderful save from Ram. Vics got their deserved equalizer in the 79th minute, a lofted ball into the box from Harrison Berry was flicked on by Sam Cant and HARRISON YATES finished the move with a second bite at the cherry and slammed the ball into the Andover net. 1-1

Things got a bit feisty in the 85th minute when a tussle for the ball between Conor Lyon and Andover substitute Quddus Ogunychi saw both players go to ground and with the players grabbing at each other to get up, they stood and confronted each other, with foreheads meeting, there ensued a large melè and with the referee and his assistant right in amongst it, things were broken up and after a consultation between the referee and his assistant, both players were shown red cards and Harrison Berry was shown a yellow.

This seemed to really light the blue touch paper for Andover and a wonderful chance was missed by Matty Morris, after a gorgeous cross from Brendan Holmes, his header just missing the target from 6 yards, Morris again had a chance in the 96th minute but this time the crossbar came to Vics rescue. Vics were strong enough to see out 2 more minutes of time added and achieved a great result against a very,very good side, who could already be contenders for promotion.

FULL TIME 1-1