DOWNTON went to the top of the Wessex League Division One after they won 6-3 at East Cowes Vics, writes BEN SMITH.

They travelled to the island with several key players missing but it did not stop them putting in a great performance.

However, it was the home side that took the lead after two minutes.

From the restart East Cowes did not know what hit them as the return of Dan Telfer and the link up with Sam Howe was simply a different level for the home side.

But it was the inform Robbie Owen who did the damage.

His blistering pace and tidy footwork saw him create and finish the equaliser from almost nothing.

From here on Downton grew and grew Owen and Telfer linking up well with Greg Noreen causing no end of problems.

A sweetly delivered through ball from Ben Smith released Norren and he rounded the goalkeeper and put the Robins in the lead.

Downton kept much of the possession with Theo Walfarth and Louis Rendall dominating most of the play.

New signing Jamie Waters put his stamp on the game with some solid midfield work and his efforts saw him link up with Howe nicely to create the third for Downton, when Owen made no mistake coolly slotting home a perfect cross from Howe.

Downton kept there foot on the gas and could have had more goals but a rare Vics attack seemed to stop them in there tracks.

Ernest Osei was called into action when the Vics striker was through one on one but the Downton stoppers quick feet made light work of it.

He then played a lovely ball into Telfer then into Walfarth who fired a rocket into the roof of the net to make it 4-1 at the break.

Straight into the second half Downton's hunger for more goals sent panic through the home side.

Owen's pace was clearly too much for the struggling defence and sure enough his hard work paid off again with another sweet pass from Howe into Owen's feet and a shot on the turn saw the inform hitman get his his hat-trick.

Downton rung the changes with Marcus Savage and Andre Sousa coming on to inflict more pain for the home side. Savage going close early on and Sousa could of easily had two goals with his first two touches, but it was third time lucky he got his goal with some excellent trickery he slotted home from close range to make it six.

From here on Downton completely switched off and the free flowing football and Cowes were able to pull two goals back.

Manager Ben Smith said: "We had several key players missing today and the ones who stepped in have really given myself and Rich some headaches.

"The lads needed a little kick to get going which they got and from then on in it was exceptional to watch.

"We have a team with a lot of energy and belief going forward and I couldn’t be prouder for each one of them."

On Tuesday night, Downton were beaten 6-5 after a penalty shoot-out at Bournemouth Poppies. This was after Dan Savage scored as after 90 minutes the game finished 1-1.

This Saturday, Downton are in FA Vase action away at Calne Town.