The Yachtsmen responded superbly to an early setback with an outstanding performance against New Milton Town last night (Tuesday).
The Brickies arrived on the Island buoyed by an emphatic 6-1 victory over Cove and made the brighter start. Ed Hatt was forced into an excellent save after 9 minutes, but from the resulting corner New Milton took the lead in spectacular fashion. Hector Rayner collected the ball 25 yards from goal, shifted it onto his left foot and blasted an unstoppable strike into the top corner (0-1).
Cowes responded well and almost drew level on 20 minutes when Charlie Marsek dispossessed the goalkeeper, only to see his shot well saved.
The equaliser arrived just 2 minutes later. Scott McFarlane clipped a superb pass over the defence and Fin Phillips kept his composure to steer his finish into the bottom corner (1-1).
The Yachtsmen completed the turnaround almost immediately. Charlie Marsek timed his run perfectly to race onto a through ball before sliding a composed finish beyond the advancing goalkeeper (2-1).
New Milton remained dangerous, and Hatt was called into action again, first producing another smart save after an attack down the left before gathering a dangerous ball over the top moments later.
Cowes struck another decisive blow just before the interval. Charlie Marsek intercepted a misplaced defensive pass, drove into the penalty area and calmly slotted home for his second goal of the afternoon (3-1).
Hatt ensured the Yachtsmen took a healthy advantage into the break with another excellent save in first-half stoppage time after New Milton found space down the right.
Half Time: Cowes Sports 3-1 New Milton Town
Cowes controlled the second half with confidence, limiting the visitors to few clear opportunities while continuing to threaten whenever they broke forward.
The tie was effectively settled after 71 minutes when substitute Ashton Cox made an immediate impact. Collecting possession on the left, he slipped an excellent pass into the path of Ryan Hughes, who finished clinically into the far corner (4-1).
Cox continued to trouble the visitors during the closing stages. He combined neatly with St John Biggs before the latter’s effort struck the side-netting, then released John McKie with another incisive pass only for the veteran striker to be denied by the goalkeeper.
McKie eventually got the goal his display deserved deep into stoppage time. Once again, Cox was the provider, sending the striker clear on goal, and this time he fired confidently into the corner to complete the scoring (5-1). The goal was the 203rd of McKie’s Cowes Sports career.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 5-1 New Milton Town
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley (c), Colson, Cook, Phillips, McFarlane, Marsek, Mumford. Subs: Cox, Cruttenden, McKie, St John Biggs, West.
Cowes will face Whitchurch United (away) in the first round of the Hampshire Senior Cup.
The Yachtsmen now turn their attention to Saturday’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at home to Hamble Club.
WEAKENED PORT BOW OUT OF HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP
A much-changed Newport side bowed out of the Hampshire Senior Cup after a first-half blitz by Ringwood Town.
Newport fielded a weakened side for the Preliminary Round tie in the New Forest, with prolific striker Ji Nash not travelling, while defenders Holbrook, Benford and Thompsett, together with captain Joe Butcher, were all named on the substitutes’ bench. Ringwood took full advantage, scoring all 3 goals during the first half to secure victory.
Full Time: Ringwood Town 3-0 Newport
Newport: Pitman, Grace, Linington, Young, Egerton-Read, Conway, Ballinger, Mazambara, Pearson, Browne (c), Kelly. Subs: Holbrook, Woodford, Benford, Thompsett, Butcher.
With no competitive fixture this Saturday, Newport now have an extra week to prepare before welcoming Colden Common to WightFibre Park in the FA Vase on 15th August. The tie will be the Port’s first competitive fixture at their new home.
