ISLE of Wight Wessex League side East Cowes Vics booked their place in the next round of the Hampshire Senior Cup tonight (Wednesday) with an emphatic win.

Playing at Beatrice Avenue, Vics entertained fellow Division 1 side Whitchurch United.

Both teams dispatched Premier League opponents in the first round to set up the tie.

Speaking ahead of the game, Vics captain, Callum Chase, said he was expecting it to be a tough, but winnable tie.

But in the end, it was a comfortable win for the Islanders, who put Whitchurch to the sword.

Ben Holdsworth put the Vics in front inside the opening 16 minutes, and Harrison Taylor doubled his side’s advantage on 35 minutes.

The visitors reduced the deficit going into the break, but Aedan Coode struck early in the second half to nip any late rally in the bud.

Holdsworth netted again on 67 minutes, though Whitchurch did score a second on 80 minutes, after Brad Young was dismissed.

But a hat-trick for Holdsworth on 90 minutes applied some gloss to the scoreline, and the Vics booked their place in the third round with a 5-2 win.