SPOT-ON VICS PROMOTED
May 4, 2025
East Cowes Victoria Athletic claimed their place in next season's Velocity Wessex League Premier Division with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Frimley Green.
Elliot Wheeler gave the Vics the lead shortly after half-time before late drama as Adam Mekki levelled things up for the hosts deep into added on time.
So on to spot-kicks, which saw the Islanders triumph 4-1. Our congratulations to East Cowes Victoria Athletic who return to the top tier of the Wessex for the first time since 1999/2000 when the League was a sole Division.
Photos: Robin Caddy
Hamble Club celebrated their second Velocity Wessex League Cup in three years after defeating Premier Division champions, AFC Stoneham by the odd goal in five at Downton on Bank Holiday Monday. Tyrrell Sampson put the Purps in the ascendency after fifteen, but it was short-lived as Matt Casey drilled home from the edge of the box shortly after to draw level. CUP FINAL - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD Duarte Martins made no mistake from a loose ball to restore Stoneham's advantage going into the interval, before substitute, Chase Michel restored parity for a second time just before the hour mark with his first touch of the game.
Yateley United's rise continued on Saturday, as they reached Step 5 for the first time in the club's short history in emphatic fashion, with 6-1 victory over Whitchurch United. A Wessex League season best crowd of 908 witnessed the Division One play-off final at Yateley's Sean Devereux Park - a venue hosting Step 7 football as recently as 2022/23 in the Thames Valley Premier. Read more in our latest Wessex Post Newsletter Both sides came through their respective midweek play-off semi-finals against Colden Common (2-1) and Folland Sports (0-1) respectively, but Yateley prevailed in the final courtesy of Lynford Sackey (2), Harvey Seeman, Tyler Robinson - and two in the closing moments from Josh Blackwood and Callum Scott to add gloss. James Batchelor's netted Whitchurch's reply with fifteen to go, to reduce the arrears to 3-1, but almost immediately after, Robinson restored the host's three-goal advantage. Our congratulations to Yateley United on your achievement, and commiserations to Whitchurch United. Photo: Greg Dickson
Portland United will be playing Step 4 football for the first time in the club's history, after coming through a penalty shoot-out to defeat Laverstock & Ford. A crowd of 810 at the Camp & Satherley Stadium witnessed a closely fought encounter between third and fifth which ended in stalemate after extra time.
Laverstock & Ford will visit Portland United in the battle for Step 4 after both Premier Division sides came through their respective play-off ties. Lavvy fought out a 2-2 draw at runners-up, Hamble Club on Tuesday night, before coming out on top 6-7 in a tense penalty shoot-out.
Fleetlands are the Velocity Wessex League Division One champions for 2025/26, following their 3-1 midweek success over Cove at Powder Monkey Park.
Hamble Club secured their spot in the Velocity Wessex League Cup final with a thumping 7-0 victory over Wincanton Town on Tuesday night. The 2023/24 winners made it a third consecutive final with seven different scorers, having also recently secured their spot in the Premier Division play-offs. The Monks will face AFC Stoneham who beat Cowes Sports 3-0 - at Downton FC on May 4 (3pm) to determine the silverware.
