Image: Courtesy Dave Wagner

Match Report: Dave Ring

East Cowes Victoria 0–1 Portland United
Saturday 21st February 2026, 3:00pm
Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Attendance, 178

It was a wet, dull and thoroughly dreary afternoon on the Isle of Wight as Portland United made their second trip across the water, this time to face East Cowes Victoria at Beatrice Avenue.

With the Blues looking to strengthen their grip on a play-off place, they knew this was never going to be straightforward. The heavy conditions, combined with a determined home side, ensured it was exactly the sort of test you would expect at this stage of the season.

Portland made the breakthrough on 17 minutes, and it was a goal worthy of winning any game. Josh Williams picked up possession outside the box and unleashed a superb strike from outside the area that flew beyond the keeper and into the net, giving the Blues a 0–1 lead. In conditions that made flowing football difficult, it was a moment of real quality.

The remainder of the first half was a battle. East Cowes Victoria pressed hard, using the conditions to their advantage, but Portland stood firm and went into the interval with their slender advantage intact.

The second half followed a similar pattern. The pitch cut up, the rain persisted and East Cowes Victoria refused to lie down. Portland reshuffled on 60 minutes, with Woolford and Camp making way for Morris and Joyce. Ten minutes later Delves was replaced by Nixon, adding fresh legs as the game became more stretched. In the closing stages, Jenkins came off for Symes on 87 minutes as the Blues looked to see the game out professionally.

It was far from comfortable. East Cowes Victoria threw everything forward in the closing moments, but Portland defended resolutely, showing the sort of grit that defines promotion-chasing sides.

At the final whistle, it finished 0–1. A very tough game in challenging conditions against a resilient East Cowes Victoria side, but three valuable points for Portland United as they continue to push at the right end of the table.

Full Time, East Cowes Victoria 0–1 Portland United.

East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Wheeler, Yates, Newbold (C), Triggs, Chapman, Hart, Boyd-Kerr, Reynolds, Neale, Kelly,
Substitutes: Coode, Wragg, Snow, Pitman, Neale.

Portland United: Smalley, Coombs, Stuttle, Cleaver, Gadsby, Corbridge, Woolford, Williams (C), Jenkins, Camp, Delves.
Substitutes: Nixon, Morris, Joyce, Symes.