Vics grab superb draw at top of table Stoneham

EAST Cowes Vics took a threadbare squad with a couple of last minute additions to top of the table Stoneham and came back with a superb point last night (Tuesday).

Against all the odds before kick-off, Vics were without a number of players from their back-line and the signs looked ominous for their Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 clash.

East Cowes Vics captain Joe Butcher, who led his side to a superb 1-1 draw at league leaders Stoneham.  Photo: Graham Brown 

But the Islanders, who managed to field 11 players, with no substitutes, other than young reserve keeper, Jake Toogood, showed their battling qualities and took the lead on 20 minutes.

Vics' top scorer this season, Jimmi Burton, was put through with a brilliant ball, one-on-one with the keeper, and he coolly slotted it home.

The Islanders could even have extended their lead from corners had Ryan Gregory been a little luckier in front of goal.

The makeshift Vics defence coped well with whatever Stoneham threw at them, with Gregory, called in by boss Steve Brougham at the 11th hour to help shore up the back-line, with players missing through injury, illness and university.

Last season's top scorer for the Vics, Jordan Browne, was also called upon to do a job at the back.

Two minutes after the interval, Stoneham took the lead — a deflected shot during a melee in the penalty box.

East Cowes Vics boss Steve Brougham was delighted with the team's battling performance against Stoneham.  FILE

But with Stoneham smelling blood, Vics did not buckle under the pressure and held on for a valuable point.

Delighted Vics boss, Brougham, told the County Press: "It was one of the best perfiormances from the lads since I came to the club.

"Make no mistake, Stoneham are a very good side and I think they'll win the league this season, but we were great on the night and fully deserved a point.

"I could not fault any of the players. They all played extremely well. It certainly wasn't backs against the wall.

"After they equalised, we dug deep and did really well.

"One of our reserves, Tyler Greenslade, came into the side at the last moment and played out wide.

"Fair play to him for making himself available to come into the side. He couldn't have had a much tougher debut that that. 

"I think we have the quality in the side, but we need more availability to put a consistent side out, then the results will come.

"Let's hope we can take that performance into our match against third-placed Amesbury Town, another tough game, at home on Saturday."

East Cowes Vics: Hunt, Newbold, Przespolewski, Hayward, Gregory, Browne, Butcher (capt), Chapman, Ahmed, Burton, Greenslade. Subs: Toogood.