Cowes Sports came from behind to take a point from 4th-placed Hamble at Westwood Park on Tuesday (22nd November).
The Yachtsmen had influential striker John McKie and combative midfielder Harri Catania missing from their starting line up through suspensions. The Cowes side drafted in Josh Appell from W&B, and Jez Conway took the role of centre forward.
Neither keeper was called into action in the opening half hour. The Yachtsmen’s 1st attempt on goal came after 27 minutes when captain Fin Phillips sent the ball trickling past the far post. 5 minutes later, Aedan Coode forced Hamble keeper Harry Newman into making a good save with a shot from just inside the penalty area. In the 37th minute, the influential Fin Phillips again forced Newman into making a vital stop with a further attempt on goal.
However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic for the home side. In the 36th minute, Ed Hatt had to make an excellent one handed save to prevent a Hamble header from hitting the back of the net.
The Yachtsmen’s best chance came moments before halftime, when Phillips’ cross almost fell for Jez Conway on the goal line, but he was unable to connect.
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-0 Hamble
The Yachtsmen continued to pressure the Monks at the start of the 2nd half with Aedan Coode shooting wide in the 47th minute, and Jez Conway missing a further scoring opportunity a minute later. In the 53rd minute, Ollie West had a high, looping header saved by Newman.
Cowes then made a series of substitutions with Scott McFarlane coming on for Josh Appell, Caleb Neale replacing Aedan Coode, and Darren Williams taking the place of Brandon Hayward.
However, it was Hamble who took the lead in the 69th minute when Ed Hatt spilled a shot that appeared to be going wide for centre forward Will Gange to pounce and send the ball past the Cowes keeper from close range (0-1).
But 3 minutes later, full back Jimmy Mumford made a run from the halfway line before playing the ball to Jez Conway, who sent an accurate shot past Newman into the left side of the goal from the edge of the penalty area (1-1).
The Yachtsmen created most of the pressure and chances in the final 15 minutes. First, a free kick from the edge of the penalty area was saved by the Hamble keeper. Then, Jimmy Mumford had an effort stopped by Newman. Finally – just before the referee blew for full time – Darren Williams had a lob deftly punched over the crossbar by Newman
Full time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Hamble
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey (Perrin), Watson, West, Appell (McFarlane), White, Hayward (Williams), Conway (Fever-Norton), Phillips (c), Coode (C. Neale)
After the match, assistant manager Andy Brown said:
“I’m pleased with the lads’ performance, who more than matched their opposition sitting 13 league places above. We won some great personal battles all over the park, demonstrating the fighting spirit we have been asking for. I also felt we played with intensity and showed the quality we have at times, with our confidence growing!
“The last 2 games, they have come from behind on 3 occasions last week and once this evening! Hopefully that will be the catalyst they need.”
The draw leaves Cowes in 17th place in the Wessex Premier with 13 points from 14 games.
