It was a day to remember for Isle of Wight football on Saturday (6th September), as all 3 Wessex League sides – Cowes Sports, Newport IW and East Cowes Vics – recorded victories.
Cowes swept aside New Milton Town, Port came from behind to win away at Yateley United, and East Cowes Vics ended Christchurch’s perfect start with a 2-1 win at Beatrice Avenue.
MCFARLANE SHINES AS YACHTSMEN SWEEP ASIDE NEW MILTON
Cowes Sports continued their fine start to the Wessex Premier League season with a commanding 4-0 win over New Milton Town at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
The Yachtsmen struck early and maintained control throughout, with goals from Jared Tout-Walters, Fin Phillips and a brace from Scott McFarlane securing all 3 points.
Cowes were quick out the blocks, creating a chance in the 3rd minute when Carter-Knight cut inside from the right and curled the ball narrowly wide after good work from Browne and Phillips.
The opener arrived just 2 minutes later. A long ball forward from Hatt caused hesitation in the New Milton defence, allowing Tout-Walters to pounce, go one-on-one, and slot home into the bottom right corner (1-0).
Midway through the first half, the game settled, with both sides keeping the ball well but struggling to create clear openings. The Yachtsmen looked more composed in the final third, and on 29 minutes Tout-Walters went close again after a mis-hit clearance, firing into the side netting.
The second goal came in the 35th minute when Tout-Walters was brought down inside the area. Phillips saw his penalty parried, but tapped in the rebound (2-0).
Half time: Cowes Sports 2-0 New Milton Town
Cowes created another chance straight after the restart when Tout-Walters drilled a ball across the face of goal that was just out of reach for Carter-Knight.
A dominant spell followed, with the Yachtsmen in full control as New Milton’s switch to a 3-5-2 failed to change their fortunes. On 65 minutes, Browne turned on halfway and played in McFarlane, who beat the offside trap and chipped the onrushing keeper with composure (3-0).
Just 6 minutes later, Phillips was fouled on the edge of the area and McFarlane stepped up to hammer a free-kick into the top left corner for his second of the afternoon and Cowes’ fourth (4-0).
The final 20 minutes saw Cowes ring the changes, giving debuts to Berry and Smallwood, both receiving warm welcomes from the Zilch Waste Stadium crowd.
Full time: Cowes Sports 4-0 New Milton Town
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Flood, Mumford, Chase, Oatley (c), McFarlane, Carter-Knight, Phillips, Browne, Tout-Walters
Subs: Berry, Sanderson, Long, McKie, Smallwood Man of the Match: Scott McFarlane
Cowes sit 9th in the Wessex Premier League table with 9 points from 4 games and have games in hand on all of the sides above them.
Cowes Sports are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Gang Warily to face Blackfield & Langley in the Velocity Wessex League Cup. Kick-off is at 19:15.
The Yachtsmen will face New Milton Town at the Zilch Waste Stadium for the second time in a fortnight in the FA Vase on 20th September.
NASH BRACE COMPLETES COMEBACK AS PORT WIN FIVE-GOAL THRILLER
Port made it two wins in a row with a 3-2 away victory over Yateley United, having come from behind twice before Ji Nash netted the winner just before the hour.
Joao Jardim gave the hosts the lead after just 6 minutes with a neat finish (1-0). Harry Taylor equalised on 23 minutes with a deflected strike (1-1), but Yateley hit back straight from the restart, with Jardim scoring again to restore their lead (2-1).
Leon Pitman produced several key saves to keep Port in the game, and the momentum shifted after the break.
Half time: Yateley United 2-1 Newport IW
Nash levelled the scores on 48 minutes by rounding the keeper and slotting home (2-2), then struck again just before the hour with a well-taken finish that found the net despite initial confusion (2-3).
Michael Thompsett was booked late on, while Brad Young and Harri Catania added energy off the bench as Port held firm to secure all 3 points.
Full time: Yateley United 2-3 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Benford, Hancott, Lamb, Watterson, Thompsett, Grace, Taylor, Walsh, Butcher, Nash
Subs: Egerton-Read, Young, Catania, Oatley
Port now sit 15th in Wessex Division 1 with 6 points from 5 games.
