It was a day of comebacks and late drama for the Isle of Wight’s Wessex League clubs as all 3 emerged with a point.
Cowes Sports had goalkeeper Ed Hatt to thank for their draw against Andover New Street, while Newport fought back from 2 goals down at Ash United. East Cowes Vics looked set for victory at Laverstock & Ford before a late equaliser denied them all 3 points.
HATT THE HERO AS YACHTSMEN HOLD ANDOVER NEW STREET
Ed Hatt saved a penalty and produced a string of fine stops as Cowes Sports battled to a 1-1 draw with Andover New Street at Westwood Park.
The visitors dominated possession, but Cowes remained dangerous on the break.
Hatt denied Beckers before Andover struck in the 25th minute, Ollie Erdinc finding the far corner off the post (0-1).
Cowes hit back spectacularly after the interval. Marsek, with his back to goal on the edge of the box, laid the ball off for Phillips to unleash a stunning side-volley into the top-right corner off the post (1-1).
Marsek and McKie both went close as the Yachtsmen threatened to turn the game on its head.
Andover had a glorious chance to snatch all 3 points when their winger was brought down cutting inside the penalty area. But Hatt came to Cowes’ rescue, diving to his right to brilliantly keep out the spot kick before the Yachtsmen scrambled clear.
The Cowes keeper then got down low to deny Dotse before keeping out a Hines header from a Rawkins free kick.
The sin bins added further drama, with Cowes’ George Colson temporarily dismissed before Andover goalscorer Erdinc also found himself on the sidelines, leaving both teams to negotiate the end of the game with just 10 men.
Full Time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Andover New Street
Cowes Sports: Hatt; Flood, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley (c), J. Mumford, Colson, Phillips, Marsek, McFarlane, McKie. Subs: Coode, Biss, St John Biggs, West, T. Mumford Man of the Match: Ed Hatt Attendance: 158
Cowes remain 12th in the Wessex League Premier Division with 11 points from 8 games.
PORT FIGHT BACK FROM 2 GOALS DOWN TO EARN POINT AT ASH UNITED
Newport staged a stirring comeback from 2 goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Ash United with Joe Butcher completing the fightback shortly after half-time.
The opening exchanges were quiet, but the game burst into life in the 16th minute when James Frudd struck from 20 yards to put the hosts ahead (1-0).
Port responded with some neat build-up play, creating an opening for Ji Nash, whose effort was blocked.
However, Newport found themselves 2 goals adrift in the 39th minute when Paras Gill doubled Ash’s advantage (2-0).
With the interval approaching, Port desperately needed a lifeline, and captain Macaulay Watterson duly delivered.
The Newport skipper struck with virtually the final kick of the half, halving the deficit and giving the visitors renewed hope (2-1).
Port emerged from the break determined to complete the comeback and took just 3 minutes to wipe out Ash’s advantage.
The home goalkeeper could only parry a header, and Joe Butcher was quickest to react, pouncing on the loose ball inside the 6-yard box to fire home the equaliser (2-2).
With the 2 sides cancelling each other out for the remainder of the contest, neither could find a winner, leaving Port to return across the Solent from North Hampshire with a hard-earned point.
Full Time: Ash United 2-2 Newport
Newport: Pitman; Grace, Benford, Hancott, Watterson (c), Holbrook, Nash, Walsh, Browne, Butcher, Kelly. Subs: Myram, West, Conway, Pearson, Mazambara Attendance: 56
Newport remain 9th in Wessex League Division One with 13 points from 6 games.
LATE HEARTBREAK FOR VICS AS LAVERSTOCK SNATCH SIX-GOAL DRAW
East Cowes Vics surrendered a 2-goal lead and conceded a dramatic late equaliser as Laverstock & Ford snatched a 3-3 draw in Wiltshire.
The hosts struck first in the 16th minute when a free kick crashed against the crossbar and fell for Devon Arnold to tap home (1-0).
Vics hit back in the 28th minute following a run down the left by Charlie Haward. His pullback found Josh Neale, whose blocked effort fell to Charlie Hart to tuck into the bottom corner (1-1).
The visitors turned the game on its head after the interval, with Hart’s relentless pressure forcing a disastrous mistake from the Laverstock defence.
A centre-back attempted a routine backpass, only for the ball to slip under the goalkeeper’s foot and roll into the net (1-2).
Vics were flying, and Josh Neale soon extended their advantage, bursting through the home defence before coolly slotting past the goalkeeper (1-3).
But Laverstock refused to surrender. The hosts were awarded a penalty after Chae was pulled down in the box, with Frazer stepping up to convert (2-3).
Vics looked set to return across the Solent with all 3 points until a cruel late twist denied them victory.
The ball struck Rich inside the 6-yard box and ended up in the net as Laverstock snatched an unlikely equaliser (3-3).
Full Time: Laverstock & Ford 3-3 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: G. Bridi; Snow, Newbold, West, Yates, Wright, Boyd-Kerr, J. Neale, Wall, Haward, Hart. Subs: Dyer, C. Neale, Mooney, Weeks, W. Bridi.
Vics remain 16th in the Wessex League Premier Division with 9 points from 8 games.
