WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 12TH MARCH 2022
VERWOOD TOWN 3 EAST COWES VICTORIA 0

An admirable determination was evident in the squad to alter the recent run of adverse results.

East Cowes were first on attack bringing a tackle from Smith. A good cross field ball found Joe Freak and a great through ball was chased down by Carswell but ECV’s cover cleared the danger.

We pressed forward playing good football and with 8 minutes gone a combination of passing between Mason and Lewis Freak finished with a deep cross into the box. This time Carswell timed his run to perfection and steered the ball past the keeper giving us the lead 1-0.

Bradley was impacting on the right and a sweeping move sparked by Stock finished with a deep cross well saved by the keeper.

We stayed on top with ECV relying on counters.

Lewis Freak came under pressure but good anticipation and strong tackles blocked ECV progress into the box.

15 minutes gone and a high ball clearance from ECV’s defence was taken down by Stock. On to Smith and from just outside ECV’s area Smith hit a rasper grazing the bar.

This was a much better performance than of late but it also looked a more balanced side.

We pushed on. Lewis Freak initiated an attack down the left and Bradley broke free of defender’s shackles to bring out a great save from the keeper.

ECV rallied. Maher took a catch from under the bar and then took ball off toes as ECV had a couple of breakthroughs.

On 40 minutes Bradley rounded his marker, cut inside the box and put a right foot volley past the keeper 2-0.

Half Time 2-0

We continued where we left off. Hall won a midfield tussle for the ball and a great chip let in Joe Freak. The keeper did well to take the catch.

Vining had a crack and agonised as the ball skipped over the angle.

We had the larger percentage of play and should have put another couple of goals away before Bradley skipped a couple of robust tackles and slipped the ball into the box. Carswell followed up and made no mistake in putting the ball in the bottom corner. 3-0.

Substitutions on 34 and 36 minutes … Jack Broad off for Ben Morgan and Josh Hall making way for Billy Cooper respectively.

ECV redoubled efforts and brought out some good defending from our back line with plaudits for good handling by Callum Maher.

Result 3-0