Cowes Sports and East Cowes Victoria ended their Wessex Premier Division seasons with defeats this afternoon (Saturday), while Newport also lost in Division One.
UNDERSTRENGTH YACHTSMEN FALL TO BROCKENHURST AHEAD OF CUP SEMI FINAL
Cowes Sports fielded a much-weakened side ahead of their cup semi final and were beaten by Brockenhurst at Westwood Park this afternoon (Saturday).
With Tuesday evening’s Wessex League Cup semi final in mind, the Yachtsmen rested several first team regulars but still produced a competitive first half display in front of a crowd of 287 – a strong attendance by Wessex League standards.
Brockenhurst opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Freddie Beale (0-1), but Cowes remained firmly in the contest thanks to an excellent performance from Hatt. The goalkeeper produced a string of important saves, first pushing away a curling effort on 32 minutes before denying a dangerous free kick soon after.
Despite that pressure, Cowes drew level on the stroke of half time when a Brockenhurst defender handled in the area, allowing McFarlane to step up and convert confidently from the spot (1-1).
Half Time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Brockenhurst
Cowes began the second half on the front foot. Tattersall slipped McFarlane through on 50 minutes, but hesitation allowed the chance to slip away, before McFarlane returned the favour moments later, picking out Tattersall, whose volley drifted wide.
However, the game turned before the hour mark. Dylan Walker restored Brockenhurst’s lead in the 58th minute (1-2) before the visitors added a third just 2 minutes later to put the game beyond reach (1-3).
Cowes continued to press, with St John Biggs seeing a powerful effort tipped over and McKie firing wide after creating space in the box, but they were unable to find a way back.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 1-3 Brockenhurst
Cowes Sports: Hatt; Fever, Norton, Mumford, Flood, Hiorns, St John Biggs, Perrin, McFarlane, Carter-Knight, Cruttenden, Tattersall. Subs: Backshall, McKie, Moore, West. Man-of-the-Match: Fever-Norton
Cowes now turn their attention to Tuesday evening’s Wessex League Cup semi final against Stoneham at Westwood Park (19:45 kick off).
The Yachtsmen end their season in 13th place, finishing 3 points ahead of local rivals Vics.
PORT DENIED LATE AS COLDEN COMMON STRIKE IN STOPPAGE TIME
Newport were denied a deserved point by a stoppage time free kick in their Wessex League Division One clash at Colden Common.
Travelling with 10 first-team regulars unavailable – largely through injury – Newport named just 1 substitute and were forced into a reshuffle. Joe Butcher started at left-back, Mikey Thompsett moved into central defence alongside George Holbrook, while Josh Younie slotted into a holding midfield role.
Despite Colden Common enjoying the majority of possession in the opening half, clear chances were limited and Newport looked well organised. Leon Pitman dealt confidently with the few efforts that came his way, while the visitors carried a threat on the break.
That threat paid off in the 38th minute when prolific scorer Ji Nash netted his 39th goal of the season, producing an excellent finish from a tight angle to give Newport the lead (0-1).
However, the hosts responded just before the break. A cut-back from the left was not fully cleared and Colden capitalised from close range to level the scores (1-1).
Half Time: Colden Common 1-1 Newport
Newport maintained their discipline after the restart, continuing to frustrate a Colden side pushing for a play-off position. As the half progressed, fatigue began to show, but the visitors’ organisation held firm.
Pitman underlined his quality with a series of important saves, including a fingertip stop that drew applause from the home crowd.
With Newport appearing set to claim a hard-earned point, the decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. A free kick was awarded 25 yards out, and Cal Archer delivered a precise strike into the top corner in the 94th minute, leaving Pitman with no chance (2-1).
Full Time: Colden Common 2-1 Newport
Newport: Pitman; Grace, Butcher, Younie, Thompsett, Holbrook, Nash, Walsh, Craig, Ballinger, Mazambara. Subs: Giacomelli, Streeter.
Newport remain 7th with 68 points from 40 games.
Port travel to the New Forest on Tuesday evening to face Ringwood in their final away fixture of the season (19:30 kick off).
VICS SECURE COMFORTABLE WESSEX PREM SURVIVAL DESPITE FINAL DAY DEFEAT
East Cowes Victoria ended their first Wessex Premier Division season with defeat at Petersfield but can reflect on a campaign that secured survival.
Vics travelled for their final league fixture, with the earlier meeting between the sides having been abandoned after just 9 minutes earlier in the campaign.
After a difficult week that had seen successive 4-1 defeats, the Beatrice Avenue boys were looking to finish strongly and reach the 40-point mark.
Instead, the afternoon began in the worst possible fashion as Harry Close fired Petersfield ahead in the 3rd minute (1-0).
Vics attempted to respond, with Harrison Yates and Macca Barnes both off target inside the opening 6 minutes. Barnes then forced a strong save from Harris Osmon on 10 minutes as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Despite enjoying spells of possession in midfield, Vics struggled to create clear opportunities in a scrappy first half.
Half Time: Petersfield Town 1-0 East Cowes Victoria
Backed by a strong travelling following, Vics continued to work hard after the break but were unable to break down a well-organised Petersfield defence.
The hosts extended their lead in the 74th minute through substitute Max Bray (2-0), before Alfie Stringer added a third on 83 minutes (3-0).
A goal line clearance from Raff Boyd-Kerr in the 90th minute prevented further damage.
While it was an uncharacteristic display, Vics can take real credit from a first season at this level in which they secured their status comfortably.
Full Time: Petersfield Town 3-0 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi; Snow, Yates, Wheeler, Boyd-Kerr, Chapman, Wright, Barnes, C Neale, J Neale, Hart. Subs: Roberts, Collier, Cheek, O’Neil, Pitman. Man-of-the-Match: Barnes
Vics end the season in 14th place with 37 points from 38 games.
