Captain John McKie chalked up his double century of goals for Cowes Sports as they beat Baffins Milton Rovers at the Zilch Waste Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The first half began cagily with both sides struggling to find their rhythm in the opening game of the season. The first scoring opportunity for the Yachtsmen fell to captain John McKie, who blasted the ball over the crossbar from a tight angle in the 9th minute. In the 23rd minute, Callum Chase headed the ball from a Colson cross over the bar at the back post.
A minute later, captain John McKie broke the deadlock when the Baffins keeper spilled a Colson shot, following which McKie pounced to score his 200th goal for the home side (1-0).
In the 34th minute, McKie came close to doubling the lead for Cowes when he volleyed the ball over the crossbar.
However, the Yachtsmen’s Portsmouth-based opponents were always a threat with Ed Hatt pulling off a fine save in the 36th minute before he was beaten by a towering Ed Sanders header (1-1) in the 38th to send both sides into the half-time break on level terms.
Half time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Baffins Milton Rovers
Baffins began the 2nd half with greater intensity, taking the lead in the 56th minute when Lewis Beale beat Ryan Oatley for pace before finding the back of the net (1-2).
The Yachtsmen made their first substitution in the 67th minute with Jared Tout-Walters taking the place of George Carter-Knight.
Cowes were the stronger side in the closing stages of the game. McKie put the ball in the back of the net from the edge of the Baffins area in the 73rd minute but had his goal controversially disallowed for an apparent foul.
The Cowes management then made the first of 2 inspired substitutions. Jordan Cook came on for Scott McFarlane in the 80th. With 2 minutes remaining, a skilful flick from Cook saw the home side back on level terms (2-2).
The Yachtsmen then made their final substitution with Charlie Marsek taking the place of McKie. Marsek gave the Yachtsmen the lead for the 2nd time in the game by heading home a free kick that had bounced off the far post (3-2) to provoke wild scenes of rejoicing from the Cowes side and bench.
Full time: Cowes Sports 3-2 Baffins Milton Rovers
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Mumford, Chase, Oatley, Colson, Carter-Knight (Tout-Walters), Phillips, Browne, McFarlane (Cook), McKie (c) (Marsek) Subs (unused): Dempsey, Haward
Man-of-the-match: Callum Chase
After the game, co-manager Mark Woodhouse said:
“I think you’d be struggling to get a better game down here all season.
“The lads kept going, they kept to the structure, they kept playing, and sheer heart and determination got them the win. It was lovely to see all the subs come on and make an impact.
“It’s been a great day for the squad, but we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground. It’s only one game, but it’s a good start.”
The Yachtsmen’s win sees them start the season in 4th place in the Wessex Premier below Petersfield Town, Bournemouth Poppies and Hamworthy Rec – one of 4 teams on 3 points separated by goal difference.
This Saturday, Cowes face fellow Wessex Premier side Laverstock & Ford at the Zilch Waste Stadium in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup.
