Cowes Sports’ FA Vase campaign ended in disappointment as Buckland Athletic struck twice after the break to punish the Yachtsmen’s missed opportunities.
Cowes were the last remaining Isle of Wight club in the competition and had chances to take control of the tie, particularly during the first half.
Buckland started the brighter, with Cowes goalkeeper Ed Hatt producing an excellent save from Toby Pullman’s looping effort in the 8th minute. Four minutes later, Charlie Marsek tested visiting keeper Searle, who spilled his shot.
Cowes captain Ryan Oatley tried his luck with a speculative effort in the 19th minute before Jake Scrimshaw narrowly failed to connect with a cross from Jimmy Mumford 5 minutes later.
The Yachtsmen continued to threaten, with Searle making a fine stop to deny John McKie in the 27th minute. Buckland then had a penalty appeal waved away in the 32nd minute when Hatt appeared to foul McKayle.
Cowes came closest in the 41st minute when Scott McFarlane’s effort was cleared off the line by James. George Carter-Knight then went close with a shot that flew narrowly wide shortly before the half-time break.
Half Time: Cowes Sports 0–0 Buckland Athletic
Cowes continued to create opportunities after the restart, with Marsek sending an effort narrowly past the upright in the 48th minute. Jordan Cook subsequently replaced McKie as the Yachtsmen searched for a breakthrough.
Buckland broke the deadlock in the 68th minute when Searle’s goal kick found Herbert, whose pass towards McKayle took a deflection. The striker raced towards goal and cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing Hatt (0–1).
Cowes’ hopes of rescuing the tie were dealt a crushing blow in the 83rd minute when Buckland were awarded a penalty. Pullman stepped up and converted from the spot, with Hatt diving the right way and getting a hand to the ball but unable to keep it out (0–2).
Buckland almost added a third just 3 minutes later when McKayle unleashed a thunderous shot that clipped the crossbar. For Cowes, the missed opportunities of the first half had proved costly, and their FA Vase adventure was over.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 0–2 Buckland Athletic
Cowes Sports: Hatt, J. Mumford, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley (c), Carter-Knight, Phillips, McFarlane, Marsek, Scrimshaw, McKie Subs: T. Mumford, Flood, Cook, Coode, West
Man of the Match: Jimmy Mumford
Attendance: 165
Cowes’ defeat ended the Isle of Wight’s involvement in this season’s FA Vase, with Newport and East Cowes Vics having already departed at the qualifying stage. The Yachtsmen can now turn their attention to their Wessex Premier Division campaign.
