Cowes Sports get season off to a flyer while Newport and East Cowes Vics draw

It was former East Cowes Vics striker Ji Nash who made himself the darling of the Yachtsmen fans by putting in an excellent performance and scoring a brace.

Ji Nash (blue), on the ball, scored twice for Cowes Sports on his competitive debut.  Photo: Tracy Curtis

Last season's top scorer for Cowes and their skipper, John McKie, opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a low drive into the corner, followed by a superb Nash strike into the roof of the Hamworthy net on 39 minutes to double the lead.

Nash scored with a tap-in on 73 minutes to effectively end the game as a contest.

John McKie (centre) celebrates after he opended the scoring for Cowes Sports against Hamworthy United.  Photo: Tracy Curtis

In Sydenhams Wessex Division 1, relegated Newport began their season with a 2-2 draw at Alton — showing great character to battle back from 2-0 down.

Mark Taylor pulled on back with a great finish after a mazy run and Jared Wetherick scored Newport's equaliser with a header on 73 minutes.

Jared Wetherick (left) equalised with a header against Alton for Newport. He is pictured scoring a similar goal last season for 'Port against Bournemouth.  Photo: Simon Dear.

The game opened up in the latter stages, but neither team could take the three points.

Their league rivals, East Cowes Vics, earned the same result at home to Fawley.

Ex-Newport striker Joe Butcher (yellow) scored twice on his East Cowes Vics debut against Fawley.  Photo: Simon Dear 

After debutant, ex-Newport striker Joe Butcher, had put Vics into a two-goal lead with superb strikes on the 19th and 68th minutes, Fawley staged an incredible late comeback with goals in the 87th and 95th minutes to break the home side's hearts.

• For a full round-up on the games involving Isle of Wight teams yesterday (Saturday), see this Friday's County Press.