McKie super show as Cowes hit eight, while Romans slay W&B

Incredibly, Portland took the lead on 25 minutes, but the Yachtsmen pulled it level seven minutes later with a Jez Conway goal — route one, from a kick by keeper Ed Hatt, flicked on by Jimmy Wykes and finished.

It was level at the break with Cowes well on top, but not even the 149-crowd could imagine, beyond their wildest dreams, what would unfold before their eyes.

Jez Conway, in blue, scored twice for Cowes Sports against Portland United. FILE

Cowes didn't have to wait long after the interval to take the lead — Conway burying a diving header from a Wykes cross.

On the hour, Lewis Wright scored direct from a free kick — a set piece whipped in and over the keeper for 3-1.

Cue the return of striker, John McKie, who came on as a sub in the 66th minute — and what an impact he made, scoring inside ten minutes of coming on, coolly finishing off a one-on-one with the keeper.

John McKie comes on as a sub against Portland this afternoon (Saturday).

Four minutes later, McKie is bundled over in the box and he steps up to score again — 5-1 and game over for Portland.

But Cowes — and McKie — weren't finished yet.

Alex Wright cuts in from the right and curls a superb cross with his left foot straight on to the head of McKie for a quickfire hat-trick on 83 minutes.

Captain, Callum Chase, who has had a turbulent month after he was the target of racist thugs at Fleet Town, was all smiles after he scored the Yachtsmen's seventh with a looping header. 

Callum Chase celebrates scoring the seventh for Cowes Sports against Portland United.

McKie completed the rout in the final minute of normal time when Fin Phillips played him through on goal to fire into the bottom corner.

The win hauled Cowes off the foot of the table.

In Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wesex League, East Cowes Vics continued their good form with a hard-earned point against high-flying Andover Town.  

New East Cowes Vics signing, Aeden Coode, from Cowes Sports, had a good debut against Andover Town. Photo: Graham Brown

Sam Kirby, who was the hero mid-week when he scored the only goal of the game against Totton and Eling, was on the mark again when he opened the scoring against Andover.

However, Andover, who started the game in third place, equalised.

Sam Kirby, in red and white, scores for East Cowes Vics against Andover Town. Photo: Graham Brown

Newport's great winning run came to an end away at Petersfield Town, however.

But all looked rosy when an own goal gave Newport and early lead. The home side levelled on nine minutes though in what was an evenly-contested first half.

Newport skipper Martin McDonough, in yellow, right, was sent off at Petersfield Town. Photo: Simon Dear

Things took a turn for the worse before half-time when their skipper, Martin McDonough, was red carded for what is understood to have been for violent conduct.

Petersfield took the lead, 2-1, with a lucky goal in the dying minutes to sink the Islanders.

In Division 1 of the Island League, the big game of the day saw Brading Town inflict a 2-1 defeat on Whitecroft and Barton Sports — their second loss in the space of a week — at Vicarage Lane.

With Shanklin beating Bembridge 1-0 at the County Ground — their sixth win in the opening six games — they stayed top and extended the gap to five points over surprise team, West Wight, who beat Vectis 6-2 — ahead of the Romans on goal difference.

W&B sit in fourth place, on goal difference, ahead of Northwood St John.

Ryde Saints hammered Ventnor 7-0 at Smallbrook Stadium to sit one further point and place behind in sixth.

In Division 2, the only two sides with 100 per cent win records this season went head to head, with Oakfield coming away from Niton Community with a 4-1 victory and open up a six-point gap. 

                                         TODAY'S RESULTS (SATURDAY)

Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division: Cowes Sports 8, Portland United 1.

Sydenhams Wessex League, Division 1: East Cowes Vics 1, Andover Town 1; Petersfield Town 2, Newport 1.

Harwoods Island League Division 1: Binstead & COB 2, Cowes Sports Reserves 2; Brading Town 2, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 1; ECS 6, Carisbrooke United 0; Ryde Saints 7, Ventnor 0; Sandown 3, Northwood St John 4; Shanklin 1, Bembridge 0; West Wight 6, Vectis 2.

Division 2: Wootton 4, Newport A 1; Newchurch 1, Pan Sports 8; Niton Community 1, Oakfield 4; Osborne Coburg 3, Seaview 1; Wroxall 0, Adgestone 12.

Combination 1: Carisbrooke United Reserves 2, Brading Town Reserves 10; Northwood St John Reserves 3, Sandown Reserves 1; Oakfield Reserves 3, West Wight Reserves 4; Ryde Saints Reserves 2, Shanklin Reserves 1; Seaview Reserves 0, ECS Reserves 8; Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 6, Binstead & COB Reserves 2.

Combination 2: Bembridge Reserves 0, Osborne Coburg Reserves 2; Sandown A 2, Ryde Saints A 1; Vectis Reserves 1, Niton Community Reserves 1; Ventnor Reserves 2, Wootton Reserves 1; Yarmouth & Calbourne Reserves 3, Newchurch Reserves 2.

                                                  TUESDAY'S FIXTURES
Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division: Cowes Sports v Portchester.

Sydenhams Wessex League Cup, second round: Newport v Bashley.