2 FREAK GOALS SEE BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES SINK YACHTSMEN AT WESTWOOD PARK

Cowes Sports lost their final home game of the season after Bournemouth centre forward Joe Freak scored a brace of 2nd half goals. The Yachtsmen started the game without Ryan Oatley, who suffered facial injuries after colliding with a post during last week’s midweek defeat at Moneyfields, and Scott McFarlane, who was injured. Before the game, presentations were made to Ryan Oatley (player of the season) and Caleb Neale (young player of the season). The home side began the game on the offensive with a high attacking line, winning a succession of corners without finding the vital final touch. The Poppies opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through Ethan Cheshire with an effort from the middle of the penalty area (0-1). Going behind galvanised the Yachtsmen into action with George Carter Knight having a shot blocked for a corner, and Connor Kelly having a header stopped on the line by a world class save from Poppies keeper Jakub Lewiarz. The Yachtsmen pulled a goal back 2 minutes from half time through a glancing header from Connor Kelly with Carter-Knight providing the curling cross (1-1).

Half time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Bournemouth Poppies The away side proved the stronger team in the 2nd half and left the Island with all 3 points. The Yachtsmen made a series of 2nd half substitutions with Brandon Hayward coming on for George Carter-Knight, Bridi replacing John McKie and Salter coming on for Benford. However, the change in personnel did little to improve a lacklustre Cowes performance after the interval.

The Poppies took the lead in the 76th minute when Joe Freak caught Cowes keeper Hatt flat footed with a shot that ended in the bottom corner of the goal (1-2). 3 minutes later, substitute Bridi came close to equalising for Cowes after taking the ball past a defender before shooting just wide the far post. But there was to be no 2nd comeback for Cowes. Centre forward Freak bagged his brace in the 82nd minute by beating Hatt in a 1-on-1 situation before slotting the ball into the bottom corner (1-3).

Full time: Cowes Sports 1-3 Bournemouth Poppies Cowes Sports: Hatt Mumford, West, Hancott, Benford, Cook, Phillips (c), Colson, McKie, Carter-Knight, Kelly Subs: Neale, Bridi, Hayward, Salter, Harlow The Yachtsmen’s defeat leaves them 9th in the Wessex Premier with 50 points from 35 games. On Thursday (11th April), Cowes Sports travel to Lymington to face 16th-placed Hythe & Dibden.

PORT BEAT 2ND-PLACED MILLBROOK IN 5-GOAL THRILLER AT BEATRICE AVENUE

Joe Butcher secured 3 points for Newport against Millbrook with a winner deep in injury time. Gorman opened the scoring for the Dockers with an early 9th-minute goal (0-1). 3 minutes later, Harri Catania took advantage of confusion in the Millbrook defence by poking the ball past Dockers’ keeper Ollie Plunkett (1-1). Port put plenty of pressure on Millbrook during the 1st half with Plunkett forced into making a vital save to send a Thompsett effort over the crossbar. The 1st half ended with a strong penalty appeal for the visitors denied by referee Grainger. Half time: Newport IW 1-1 Millbrook Millbrook regained the lead in the 54th minute through a Jamie White penalty (1-2). The equalising goal for Port came in the 75th minute, with Jordan Browne showing skill and composure to beat Plunkett (2-2). A minute from full time, Port keeper Pitman prevented the home side from falling behind with a further vital save. Newport then secured all 3 points with an injury time winner from Joe Butcher (3-2). Full time: Newport IW 3-1 Millbrook Newport IW: Pitman, Walsh, Thompsett, Holbrook, McDonough, West, Oatley, Kalaker, Catania, Butcher, Malin Subs: Myram, McCormack (gk), Parsons, Darlaston-Jones, Browne Newport’s win leaves the County Town club 11th in Wessex Division 1 with 46 points from 34 games. On Thursday, Port travel to the team above, 10th-placed Romsey Town. East Cowes’ Vics Gold Cup quarter final at Brading Town was again postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Vics travel to North Island on Thursday to play Cove – the team immediately below in table – in a game likely to decide which of the 2 sides take the 4th Wessex Division 1 playoff place.