The Yachtsmen have closed in on the playoff positions by beating Hamble at the Abbey this afternoon (Saturday). The Yachtsmen began the game poorly. First, Ed Hatt was forced to make a 1-handed save in the 7th minute to prevent a certain goal. Then, in the 13th-minute, Cowes conceded a penalty that was converted by Roach (1-0). Cowes keeper Hatt was again called into action to stop a goal attempt by the Hamble No 7. However, the Yachtsmen got back into the game shortly before the half time interval with captain John McKie shooting just past the upright before George Colson chipped the Hamble keeper from 20 yards in the 42nd minute (1-1). Half time: Hamble Club 1-1 Cowes Sports 7 minutes into the 2nd half, captain John McKie was upended by the Hamble keeper in the penalty area before sending the keeper the wrong way with the resulting spot kick to give the Yachtsmen a goal advantage (1-2). However, it took 2 further spectacular saves from Ed Hatt to preserve Cowes’ lead to the end of the full 90 minutes. Hamble finished the game with 10 men after a 2nd booking to one of the central defenders after a foul on Caleb Neale led to a red card for their No 4. Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, West. Triggs, Oatley, Hancott, Colson, Cook, McFarlane, McKie(c), Phillips Subs: Mumford, Bridi, Neale, Hayward, Wykes The Yachtsmen stay in 6th place in the Wessex Premier, 2 points behind Brockenhurst but with 2 games in hand.
VICS HELD AT HOME BY 2ND-PLACED DOWNTON
East Cowes Vics v DowntonHarrison Yates (right) Image: Graham BrownEast Cowes Vics squandered a 2-goal half time lead against the Robins and saw 2 goal attempts bounce off the woodwork in front of 182 spectators at Beatrice Avenue. Alex Smith brought back Rafferty Boyd-Kerr – who had been suspended, and Charlie Marsek – who has recovered from injury – into the starting XI. The East Cowes side started without midfielders Harrison Taylor and Aedan Coode. Vics began brightly and were in front after just 30 seconds though a 25-yard thunderbolt from Ji Nash which nestled in the top left corner of the goal (1-0). The Robins came close to equalising 5 minutes later when Alex Ram saved from Joe Smith who was clean through. Vics should have doubled their lead on 17 minutes: Ji Nash cutting the ball back for Charlie Marsek, whose effort from 6 yards out somehow hit the post when a goal appeared certain. 3 minutes later, Jacob Reynolds saw his low drive also bounce off the upright. The East Cowes side doubled their lead in the 39th minute; Jordan Chapman’s pinpoint cross found Jez Conway, whose shot was saved by Ollie Bull in the Downton goal, but he could only divert the ball to Jacob Reynolds, who smashed the ball home in style (2-0). Vics players celebrate Jacob Reynolds’ goalHalf time: East Cowes Vics 2-0 Downton The Robins began the 2nd half with the wind and driving rain in their favour. The Wiltshire side pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute through a side-footed finish from Will Mackie into the corner of the goal that left Ram with no chance (2-1). A minute later, Joe Smith had the opportunity to equalize but his header went over. For East Cowes Vics, chances for Ji Nash and Josh Neale weren’t converted. Jacob Reynolds Photo: Graham Brown Downton got their equaliser 9 minutes from full time when a ball into the box was smashed home from 6 yards by Joe Smith (2-2). The final few minutes were an end-to-end nailbiter, with Josh Neale having an effort cleared off the line 4 minutes from full time, Toby Snow stopping a goal-bound Downton effort, and Vics keeper Alex Ram saving with his feet. After 7 minutes of hard-fought injury time, the referee brought the game to a close with honours even. Harrison Yates (right)Full time: East Cowes Vics 2-2 DowntonVics: Ram, Young (Snow ’34), Yates, Newbold (Berry ’52), Chase (c), Chapman, Nash (Voller ’76), Boyd-Kerr, Conway (Mumford ’90), Reynolds, Marsek (Neale ’52) The draw leaves Vics 6th in Wessex Division 1, 5 points behind 5th-placed Cove but with a game in hand. Also in Wessex Division 1, the game between Aldermaston and Newport was postponed apparently due to a waterlogged pitch. The Newport management first heard of the postponement as they were boarding the ferry for the mainland. The Ports next game is on Wednesday (3rd January) when they face Fleetlands at Beatrice Avenue. Kick off is at 19:45.
The Yachtsmen have closed in on the playoff positions by beating Hamble at the Abbey this afternoon (Saturday). The Yachtsmen began the game poorly. First, Ed Hatt was forced to make a 1-handed save in the 7th minute to prevent a certain goal. Then, in the 13th-minute, Cowes conceded a penalty that was converted by Roach (1-0). Cowes keeper Hatt was again called into action to stop a goal attempt by the Hamble No 7. However, the Yachtsmen got back into the game shortly before the half time interval with captain John McKie shooting just past the upright before George Colson chipped the Hamble keeper from 20 yards in the 42nd minute (1-1). Half time: Hamble Club 1-1 Cowes Sports 7 minutes into the 2nd half, captain John McKie was upended by the Hamble keeper in the penalty area before sending the keeper the wrong way with the resulting spot kick to give the Yachtsmen a goal advantage (1-2). However, it took 2 further spectacular saves from Ed Hatt to preserve Cowes’ lead to the end of the full 90 minutes. Hamble finished the game with 10 men after a 2nd booking to one of the central defenders after a foul on Caleb Neale led to a red card for their No 4. Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, West. Triggs, Oatley, Hancott, Colson, Cook, McFarlane, McKie(c), Phillips Subs: Mumford, Bridi, Neale, Hayward, Wykes The Yachtsmen stay in 6th place in the Wessex Premier, 2 points behind Brockenhurst but with 2 games in hand.
Also in Wessex Division 1, the game between Aldermaston and Newport was postponed apparently due to a waterlogged pitch. The Newport management first heard of the postponement as they were boarding the ferry for the mainland. The Ports next game is on Wednesday (3rd January) when they face Fleetlands at Beatrice Avenue. Kick off is at 19:45.
