Cowes Sports secured a dramatic victory, while Newport and East Cowes Victoria both suffered defeat on the road yesterday evening (Thursday).
YACHTSMEN EDGE 7-GOAL THRILLER AGAINST THE DOCKERS
Cowes Sports edged a dramatic 7-goal thriller against Millbrook at Westwood Park.
The Dockers struck early when O’Connell gave the visitors the lead after just 2 minutes (0-1), but the response from the Yachtsmen was immediate. Phillips levelled on 5 minutes with a superb individual effort from the edge of the area (1-1), setting the tone for a frantic contest.
Cowes began to take control midway through the half, Bridi reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box on 20 minutes to put the hosts ahead (2-1). At the other end, Hatt was called into action repeatedly, producing a string of excellent saves to prevent Millbrook drawing level.
The home side then surged clear before the break. Marsek picked up a long pass and finished confidently on 40 minutes (3-1), before Bridi struck again just before half time to give Cowes a commanding advantage (4-1).
Half Time: Cowes Sports 4-1 Millbrook
If the first half had been entertaining, the 2nd half was tense.
Millbrook made changes and dominated possession after the restart, pushing Cowes deeper and forcing them to defend for long periods. Clarke reduced the deficit on 54 minutes (4-2), and the momentum was firmly with the visitors.
Wave after wave of pressure followed, with the Yachtsmen struggling to regain control. The nerves around Westwood were heightened further on 80 minutes when Ball netted Millbrook’s 3rd (4-3), setting up a frantic finale.
Cowes were forced to dig deep in the closing stages, defending resolutely and riding their luck at times as Millbrook pressed for an equaliser, but the home side held on to take all 3 points from an entertaining and competitive encounter.
The young Dockers side deserved massive credit for the manner in which fought back from a 3-goal deficit to come close to taking a point from the Yachtsmen.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 4-3 Millbrook
Cowes Sports Hatt, Hughes, Mumford, Chase, Oatley (c), Colson, Cook, Phillips, Bridi, Marsek, Tattersall. Subs: Day, West, Cruttenden, St John Biggs, Dempsey Man-of-the-match: Will Bridi
Cowes Sports sit 13th in the Wessex Premier Division with 40 points from 35 games, 3 points clear of East Cowes Victoria with 3 games remaining.
PORT HIT BY STOPPAGE TIME DOUBLE FROM LEAGUE LEADERS
Newport suffered stoppage-time heartbreak against league leaders Fleetlands at Powder Monkey Park, conceding twice deep into added time to dent their play-off push.
Port produced a disciplined and resilient display, matching the division’s top side throughout a hard-fought encounter.
The first half was evenly contested, with Newport organised defensively and Leon Pitman making several important saves to keep the scores level.
Half Time: Fleetlands 0-0 Newport
Newport took the lead in the 2nd half when Neo Lamb poked home from a corner (0-1), and Port looked set for a valuable victory as they frustrated the hosts.
However, in the first minute of stoppage time, Fleetlands broke forward to equalise through Kian Towse (1-1).
Deep into added time, after Pitman produced a superb double save, a penalty was awarded following a collision. The decision proved highly contentious, and the spot kick was converted by Oli Page in the 10th minute of added time to complete a dramatic turnaround (2-1).
Full Time: Fleetlands 2-1 Newport
Newport Streeter, Benford, Holbrook, Thompsett, Lamb (Egerton-Read 55), Grace, Butcher, Walsh (Linington 80), Browne, Nash, Conway (Ballinger 78). Subs: Mazambara.
The result leaves Newport 7th in Wessex Division 1 with 67 points from 37 games, with their play-off hopes now hanging in the balance.
VICS HAMMERED BY HAMWORTHY REC
East Cowes Victoria were well beaten by Hamworthy Recreation, conceding 4 times in a disappointing Wessex Premier Division defeat.
Hamworthy took the lead through Chris Long with a long-range effort (1-0), but Vics responded on 13 minutes when Charlie Hart scored a superb strike from distance (1-1).
The hosts regained the lead on 17 minutes through Ash Boyt (2-1) and extended their advantage before the break with an own goal (3-1).
Hamworthy added a 4th on 60 minutes, Long grabbing his 2nd of the game (4-1), leaving Vics unable to recover.
Full Time: Hamworthy Recreation 4-1 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria Bridi, Snow, Yates, Newbold, Triggs, Chapman, Wright (c), Wheeler, Pitman, J Neale, Hart. Subs: C Neale, Barratt, Kirby, O’Neill.
East Cowes Victoria slip to 14th in the Wessex Premier Division, now 3 points behind Cowes Sports with 3 games of their season remaining.
