ISLE OF WIGHT WESSEX FOOTBALL ROUND UP: FISHERMEN SINK YACHTSMEN’S WEMBLEY DREAM

Cowes Sports were knocked out of the FA Vase at the 2nd Round stage by Western League Brixham at Westwood Park this Saturday afternoon. The home side made just 1 change from their midweek starting line up with Liam Triggs replacing George Colson. Following a minutes silence to commemorate Remembrance Day, 2 Yachtsmen were given long service awards: Fin Phillips for his 200th appearance (aged just 24) and captain John McKie for his 300th. In a tight and even 1st half, Brixham (nicknamed the Fishermen) took the lead in the 17th minute when Charlie Johansen crossed to Kieran Parkin, who buried the ball in the back of the net despite Ed Hatt’s best efforts to save with his feet (0-1). It took until the 26th minute for the Yachtsmen to make their 1st serious attempt on goal when a curling Jordan Cook effort was parried by Brixham keeper Fisher for a corner. Cowes had 1 further opportunity to level the scores 3 minutes before the half time interval when John McKie sent a low cross to Connor Kelly only for the winger to be denied by Fisher.

Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Brixham AFC The Yachtsmen’s best chance to stay in the competition came in the 51st minute when a curling shot by John McKie from the edge of the penalty area bounced off the crossbar. The home side made 3 substitutions in an attempt to turn the game round: George Carter-Knight coming on for Liam Triggs, Caleb Neale replacing John McKie, and finally Jez Conway taking the place of Scott Barron. However, Brixham remained confident and assured up until the final whistle with Cowes appearing to lack the cutting edge required in the final third of the field. The physical Devon-based side had 3 of their number booked – 2 for simulation and a 3rd for a bad foul. Cowes left their goal attempts until very late in the game when Jez Conway found himself in a promising position in front of goal but somehow contrived to head the ball in the wrong direction, and Ryan Oatley sent a powerful shot well past the right post in the 6th minute of injury time.

Full time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Brixham AFC Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, West, Barron (Conway), Oatley, Triggs (Carter-Knight), Cook, Phillips, McFarlane, McKie (Neale), Kelly Subs unused: Mumford, Furmidge, Hayward, Bridi After the game, Brixham manager Tim Porter said:

“It was a long day out, starting at 07:00. However, with us getting through to the next round, it was worth it. “In the cup, it doesn’t matter how well you played as long as you win. We could have won 1-0, 5-0 or on penalties, it would be all the same to me. “It was a tight game. We should have put in chances in the 1st half. However, I think we edged it and deserved the win.

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PORT END 6-GAME WINLESS RUN WITH VICTORY AGAINST RINGWOOD

In Wessex Division 1, 3 2nd half goals saw Newport win their 1st game since 9th September. Harry Smith opened the scoring for Ringwood in the 21st minute (0-1), and the New Forest side preserved their lead until the half time interval. Joe Craig equalised for the home side early in the 2nd half with a goal that the referee had initially ruled offside but was allowed to stand after consultation with the linesman (1-1). Jordan Browne then put the County Town Club into the lead on the hour mark by converting a Joe Butcher cross (2-1). Nicky Vyse added a 3rd for the home side in the 63rd minute (3-1). Josh Younie was denied a 4th for the Port when his penalty hit the upright. Full time: Newport (IoW) 1-0 Ringwood Town Newport (IoW): Pitman, West, Oatley, Watterson, McDonouugh, Catania, Butcher, Younie, Browne, Craig, Vyse Subs: Walsh. Myram. Page, Malin The Port’s win leaves them 17th in Wessex Division 1, with 14 points from 12 games. Also in Wessex Division 1, East Cowes Vics had their game away to Totton & Eling postponed. Vics travel to Totton on Wednesday (15th November) to face Southern League AFC Totton in the Hampshire Senior Cup.