Cowes Sports fell behind early to Hythe & Dibden last night (Tuesday), while East Cowes Vics’ 2-1 lead was wiped out after a serious injury forced abandonment.
YACHTSMEN FALL TO HYTHE & DIBDEN AFTER EARLY ERRORS
The Yachtsmen suffered a 1-3 home defeat after a poor first half left them chasing the game at Westwood Park.
Straight from the kick-off, Cowes goalkeeper Ed Hatt was called into action, pushing an early effort round the post before producing another save as the visitors broke through the offside trap. However, defensive lapses soon proved costly, with Hythe & Dibden taking control inside the opening quarter of an hour.
Harrison Clarke opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a close-range header (0-1) before Leon Curbaye-Borges added a second a minute later, lobbing Hatt after a misplaced pass left the keeper stranded (0-2). Cowes created chances of their own, with George Carter-Knight breaking down the left and John McKie firing just wide, but they were unable to find a way back before the break.
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-2 Hythe & Dibden
The visitors extended their advantage on 58 minutes when Kevin Ngombi struck from distance into the bottom corner (0-3). Cowes continued to press forward, and Fin Phillips gave the Yachtsmen hope in the 77th minute with a long-range strike to reduce the deficit (1-3).
Despite further pressure late on and a strong penalty appeal, the hosts were unable to find a further breakthrough.
Full time: Cowes Sports 1-3 Hythe & Dibden.
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Haward, Perrin, Oatley, Phillips, Carter-Knight, Cook, Browne, McFarlane, McKie Subs: Flood, Cruttenden, Berry, Backshall, Long.
After the game, Ian Potts, Cowes Sports Co-Manager, said:
“The first half just wasn’t good enough. We were poor all over and gave away two sloppy goals. It wasn’t us. We asked them to be better with and without the ball at half time, but we gave another sloppy goal away. 0-3 is a mountain to climb against any team at this level.
“We got back into the game in the last 20 or 25 minutes and scored a good goal. I think we should have had a penalty, but that’s football. By then, it was too late.
“I’m very disappointed, but it’s one game. We’ve got to lick our wounds, stick our chests out, stand tall, learn from it and get ready for another massive game against Andover.”
The defeat leaves the Yachtsmen 13th in the Wessex Premier Division with 12 points from 9 games.
VICS LEAD WIPED OUT AS GAME ABANDONED AFTER INJURY
East Cowes Victoria were 2-1 up at Beatrice Avenue when their match against Hamble Club was abandoned late in the second half following a serious injury.
The visitors began strongly, with Hamilton forced off through injury after 13 minutes before Sam Woodward fired over the bar on 29 minutes. Hamble’s Mac Gange and Leo Taylor were both booked in quick succession as the first half became increasingly competitive.
The home crowd thought they had taken the lead on 39 minutes when a shot rebounded off the post into the keeper’s hands, but Hamble struck soon after. Sam Woodward converted from a Douglas cross in the 42nd minute to give the visitors the lead.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 0-1 Hamble Club.
The Vics levelled the score on 52 minutes when Jake Scrimshaw netted his first goal for the club (1-1), despite strong appeals for offside from the visitors. The turnaround was completed in the 66th minute as Josh Neale found the net (2-1).
Tensions rose in the final stages when Toby Snow was shown a red card on 82 minutes for a foul on Leo Taylor. Four minutes later, with the Hamble player receiving treatment, the referee abandoned the game.
Score at abandonment: East Cowes Victoria 2-1 Hamble Club.
East Cowes Victoria: Roberts, Snow, Newbold (c), Triggs, Holbrook, Chapman, Wright, Coode, J Neale, Scrimshaw, C Neale Subs: Voller, Wheeler, Barnes, Sweatman, Pitman
Hamble Club have since confirmed that Leo Taylor was comfortable and was transferred to hospital following the incident, and have thanked the Vics’ staff for their assistance.
After the game, a Hamble Club FC spokesperson said:
“Leo Taylor is ok. He is comfortable and on his way to hospital. Hamble Club would like to thank the support staff at East Cowes Victoria for their care and attention. Thank you again from all at Hamble Club FC.”
