ARE East Cowes Vics fans seeing the first green shoots of progress under new coach Alex Smith after they drew with Hamworthy Recreation in Wessex League Division 1 yesterday (Saturday)?

In what was the sole game played in Division 1, Vics drew 2-2 at Beatrice Avenue.

The game was called on after a late pitch inspection — and it was entertaining fare for those who braved the biting cold, with all the goals coming in the first half.

After Hamworthy took the lead on 20 minutes, Vics skipper Callum Chase levelled things two minutes later.

Sam Cant was on target for the Vics to put them in front on 33 minutes, but Hamworthy equalised in first half injury time.

Vics — deep in trouble in the relegation zone, third off the bottom — have cut the deficit with 17th placed Whitchurch United to six points, but have played three more games than them.

It means Vics have gone 19 games without a win in all competitions and are yet to win at home in the league after 11 games at Beatrice Avenue his season (or 15, carried over from last season).

Cowes Sports remain a point and a place above the Wessex Premier drop zone after they lost to mid-table Fareham Town in another game which managed to escape being postponed because of the weather.

The Yachtsmen went a goal down on 35 minutes, but pulled it level with about 25 minutes to go though Fin Phillips.

However, just when Cowes thought they had earned a vital point, Fareham grabbed the winner in injury time.

Cowes remain 18th, but Pagham, in 19th, have three games in hand on the Islanders and a point would leapfrog them on a far superior goal difference.

In the Hampshire FA Saturday Vase, Island League Division 2 side Carisbrooke United were beaten 6-1 at Silchester Village, near Reading, in the fourth round.

Cowes Sports Reserves moved up into third place in Division 1 of the Island League after they beat Vectis 4-3 at Cowes Enterprise College.