Weakened Robins pay the price (From Basingstoke Gazette)

No island fun for ten man Stockbridge

1:42pm Monday 18th February 2013 in Andover By Sports editor Kerry Miller

STUART Thomson’s Stockbridge had a day to forget on Saturday at East Cowes Vics, going down 9-0 in the Wessex League First Division.

Travelling with the bare XI their plight worsened after half an hour when Jake Smith limped off injured and they played an hour with ten.

A first minute goal from Joe Adams put the Vics on the way to a comprehensive victory before Josh Appell scored a hat-trick and Jake Younie and Tom Scovell both also scored twice with Matt Evans getting the other goal.

“We had at least six unavailable on Saturday who would have been in the side. We usually have a coach full with supporters who go over to the island but they weren’t there either and I was very disappointed with the attitude of some.

‘We were looking at a double figure defeat at half-time and told them so but thankfully we managed to avoid that.”

The Robins gave a debut to youngster Miles Chapman and have also signed Army lad Matt McGarry and both should be available for the hastily-arranged Andover Open Cup match with Ludgershall Sports tomorrow (Tuesday) plus the league game at home to US Portsmouth on Saturday.