Cowes Sports gained sweet revenge for last weekend’s FA Cup exit as Charlie Marsek’s hat-trick fired the Yachtsmen to a superb victory at Hamble.
What a difference 7 days can make.
Last Saturday, Hamble Club travelled to the Diverse Marine Stadium and dumped Cowes out of the FA Cup with a 1-3 victory. This afternoon (Saturday), the Yachtsmen returned the favour on the mainland, racing into a 4-goal lead before seeing off a late Monks fightback to win 2-4.
More impressively, Cowes achieved the result despite travelling without a number of regular starters, producing a devastating first-half display which left the Monks reeling.
The Yachtsmen signalled their intentions after just 2 minutes when they tested the home goalkeeper from a free kick. Hamble had opportunities of their own through Barrow and Cunningham, but Cowes struck in the 12th minute when a deflection fell kindly for Charlie Marsek, who reacted quickest, raced clear and calmly slotted beyond the goalkeeper (0-1).
The Monks attempted to respond, with Gange trying his luck from 35 yards, but Cowes continued to look dangerous whenever they attacked and went close again in the 21st minute.
After a hydration break, Hamble’s Cunningham saw one effort blocked before sending another wide, while the Yachtsmen came within inches of doubling their advantage after breaking quickly from a Monks free kick.
The second goal finally arrived in the 40th minute. Fin Phillips struck to put Cowes 2 ahead (0-2) and leave Hamble with a mountain to climb.
Hamble almost responded when Francis headed over from Adams’ delivery, but Marsek struck again in first-half stoppage time to give Cowes a stunning 3-goal interval advantage.
Half Time: Hamble Club 0-3 Cowes Sports
Hamble emerged for the second half needing an immediate response and started brightly, with Adams testing the Cowes goalkeeper before Michel threatened down the wing.
But any hopes of a Monks revival were emphatically crushed in the 55th minute. Another Hamble mistake was ruthlessly punished by Marsek, who completed his hat-trick to put the rampant Yachtsmen 4 goals clear (0-4).
With a commanding advantage, Cowes remained in control as the clock ticked down. Hamble eventually pulled one back in the 77th minute (1-4), before Beuiri headed home a second with 6 minutes remaining (2-4).
The late goals could not spoil the Yachtsmen’s afternoon. Cowes safely negotiated the closing stages to complete an emphatic reversal of the previous weekend’s FA Cup result and book their place in the next round.
Full Time: Hamble Club 2-4 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Biggs, Dempsey, Flood, T Mumford, Colson, Cook, Phillips, McKie (c), Marsek, J Mumford. Subs: Cruttenden, Cox, Ince, B Mumford, West.
The victory also earned the Yachtsmen £550 in FA prize money. Cowes will now welcome Christchurch to the Diverse Marine Stadium in the FA Vase Second Round Qualifying on Saturday 12th September.
Before then, Cowes return to cup action on Wednesday when they travel to North Island to face Whitchurch United in the Hampshire Senior Cup.
