ISLE OF WIGHT FOOTBALL: YACHTSMEN SAIL THROUGH STORM TO OVERCOME HYTHE & DIBDEN IN DOMINANT 2ND HALF DISPLAY

Cowes Sports comfortably beat Hythe & Dibden at Westwood Park on Saturday (18th November) after trailing by a single goal at the half time interval. The Yachtsmen began the game without captain and talisman John McKie and influential midfielder Jordan Cook, apparently due to a stomach bug. The home side began on the front foot with Connor Kelly having a goal attempt stopped by Hythe & Dibden debutant keeper Deacon in the 4th minute, Colson having a pot shot saved 2 minutes later, and Ryan Oatley shooting across the face of the goal in the 24th minute. The away side always looked dangerous and capable of scoring. In the 29th minute, Hythe & Dibden’s Craig McAllister headed home a high cross to put the visitors into the lead (0-1). The Yachtsmen appeared in trouble 5 minutes before half time when Ollie West brought down a Hythe forward just outside the penalty area. The mainland side claimed a professional foul and sought to see West red-carded. However, the defender escaped with a booking, and the resulting free kick went harmlessly wide. Half time: Cowes Sports o-1 Hythe & Dibden

The 2nd half saw a transformed Cowes side dominate the game. However, it took until the hour mark for the Island’s sole Wessex Premier representatives to open their account. Connor Kelly came close to equalising 4 minutes into the 2nd half when Lycett headed off the goal line and keeper Deacon then fisted the ball away for a corner. 5 minutes later, the ball just eluded Ollie West’s head from a free kick into the penalty area. In the 56th minute, Scott McFarlane put the ball into the back of the net but was ruled offside. On the hour mark, Fin Phillips just missed contact with a through ball that would probably have resulted in an equaliser. A minute later, Connor Kelly directed a weak shot at the Hythe & Dibden keeper.

The Yachtsmen finally scored in the 63rd minute when Connor Kelly made no mistake from the middle of the penalty area after being put through by Scott McFarlane (1-1). 4 minutes later, Cowes took the lead when goalkeeper Deacon could only parry a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. The ball fell to Ryan Oatley, who bundled it into the back of the net to score his 1st goal in Cowes colours (2-1). In the 81st minute, captain Fin Phllips hit the upright with a long-range effort. The final goal came 2 minutes from full time when Ryan Oatley sent a cross to substitute Connor Furmidge, who half-volleyed the ball past the keeper from the middle of the penalty area.

Full time: Cowes Sports 3-1 Hythe & Dibden Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, Hancott, Triggs, Oatley, West, Phillips (c), Colson (Neale) ’85. McFarlane (Conway) ’86, Carter-Knight (Furmidge) ’85, Kelly (Kalaker) ’90 Sub (unused): Perrin The Yachtsmen’s win leaves the Island side in 10th place in the Wessex Premier table, with 19 points from 13 games. In Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics had their game at Millbrook and Newport their game against New Milton at Beatrice Avenue postponed due to waterlogged pitches. This Tuesday (21st November), the Yachtsmen travel to Arlebury Park for a Velocity Wessex League Cup fixture against Alresford Town. All images: Graham Brown

In Isle of Wight football…

Only 2 games survived the weather. In the Hampshire Trophy, Brading Town were knocked out in the 2nd round, losing 3-0 to United Services Portsmouth at HMS Temeraire. In Harwoods Division 1, East Cowes Sports beat Binstead & Cob 4-2 at the GKN Sports Ground. Aiden Jones, Shaun Gulliver, Thomas McDowell and David Chiverton were on target for ECS.