THE Isle of Wight's two Sydenhams Wessex Division 1 sides — Newport and East Cowes Vics — continued their impressive seasons in the top half with hard-fought victories.

Newport edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 against a tricky Laverstock and Ford side at St George's Park yesterday.

The visitors stunned Newport by taking the lead on 18 minutes — the only goal of the first half.

Isle of Wight County Press: Action from this afternoon's match between Niton Community and Ryde Saints at Seaclose Park, Newport. Action from this afternoon's match between Niton Community and Ryde Saints at Seaclose Park, Newport.

But the half-time team talk by manager Andy Sampson did the trick, with Newport equalising through in-form Connor Kelly on 57 minutes, which gave him his sixth goal in four games.

After hitting the bar and post in separate atacks, Newport took the lead through Lewis Wright.

But as it looked as though Newport would end the game with a win, Laverstock equalised with three minutes remaining.

Isle of Wight County Press: Action from this afternoon's match between Niton Community and Ryde Saints at Seaclose Park, Newport. Action from this afternoon's match between Niton Community and Ryde Saints at Seaclose Park, Newport.

However, there was one final twist in the tale as Jordan Browne became the hero —grabbing Port's winner in the second minute of stoppage time.  

East Cowes Vics got back to winning ways after going four games without a victory.

They beat Ringwood Town 2-0 away, with Elias Ahmed back among the goals.

In the Sydenhams Wessex Premier, Cowes Sports slipped to a 2-1 defeat away at Tadley Calleva.

Yachtsmen keeper Ed Hatt made five good saves to keep Cowes in the hunt, made they could not make their chances count.

Tadley took the lead on 40 minutes, but Cowes equalised through a free kick from Gareth Bricknell just before half-time.

The home side took the lead on 51 minutes.

In the quarter final of the Harwoods Dacia Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup, Whitecroft and Barton Sports hammered Ventnor 6-1 at Watcombe Bottom.

In Division 1 of the Island League, the Bay derby ended 2-2 between Sandown and Shanklin at The Fairway.

There was a huge surprise in Division 2, which saw lowly Niton Community give high-flying Ryde Saints an afternoon to forget — beating them 4-1 at a wild and windy Seaclose Park, Newport.

There will be a full report on the game, with pictures, in next Friday's County Press.

                                    YESTERDAY'S RESULTS (SATURDAY)

Sydenhams Wessex Premier: Tadley Calleva 2, Cowes Sports 1.

Sydenhams Wessex, Division 1: Newport 3, Laverstock & Ford 2; Ringwood Town 0, East Cowes Vics 2.

Harwoods Dacia Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup, quarter-final: Ventnor 1, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 6.

Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, third round: Cowes Sports Reserves 0, Brading Town 1.

Harwoods Renault Island League Division 1: Sandown 2, Shanklin 2, Pan Sports 2, West Wight 4.

Division 2: Wootton 2, East Cowes Vics A 2; Carisbrooke United 5, Newchurch 1; Niton Community 4, Ryde Saints 1; Oakfield 3, Brighstone 3; Yarmouth & Calbourne v Seaview.

Combination 1: Northwood St John Reserves 4, ECS Reserves 2; Osborne Coburg Reserves 0, Binstead & COB Reserves 5; Ryde Saints Reserves 0,v Shanklin Reserves 1; West Wight Reserves 0, Sandown Reserves 3.

Combination 2 League Cup, Group A: Niton Community Reserves 3, Ryde Saints A 3; Group B: Seaview Reserves 2, Wootton Reserves 4.