Cowes Sports knocked 5 past a poor Whitecroft & Barton side on Tuesday evening in a game they dominated for 90 minutes. Before the game, the Gold Cup Quarter Final had been described in Island media (not Island Echo) as a ‘potential banana skin’ for Gold Cup holders Cowes Sports. W&B – unbeaten against Island League opposition – had won their previous 2 games 8-0 and 10-1; Cowes Sports had just lost their last game 0-4. However, no Island League side has won the Gold Cup since Oakfield in 2001. Yesterday’s match underlined the gulf in class between the Wessex League and the Harwoods Isle of Wight League. The Yachtsmen dominated possession from the start of the game. The best chance in the opening exchanges fell to Colson, who had his shot from the edge of the penalty area parried by W&B keeper True. Cowes took until the 22nd minute to take the lead when Brandon Hayward shot through a crowded penalty area to score (1-0). The Yachtsmen doubled their lead 10 minutes from the half time interval when Hayward volleyed a high ball goalward with Fin Phillips adding the finishing touch (2-0). 
PORT TAKE A POINT AT RINGWOOD
Newport came from behind to draw against New Forest club Ringwood Town. However, the Port were unlucky not to have taken all 3 points after twice hitting the woodwork and missing a penalty. Ringwood took an early 6th minute lead through Pat Correla. Port then scored a deserved equaliser on the stroke of half time when Nicky Vyse slotted the ball past the Ringwood keeper. Half time: Ringwood Town 1-1 Newport IW Profligate finishing in the 2nd half prevented Port from returning to the Island with all the points. In the 56th minute, Joe Butcher sent the ball just past the post with only Ringwood keeper Will Griffin to beat. 5 minutes later, Jordan Browne hit the upright after intercepting a clearance from Griffin. In the 65th minute, Josh Younie rattled the woodwork with a superb free kick. 10 minutes from full time, Nicky Vyse earned a spot kick for Port after being brought down in the penalty area. However, Josh Younie wasted the opportunity from the 12-yard spot, sending the ball high above the crossbar. Full time: Ringwood Town 1-1 Newport IW Newport IW: Pitman Thompsett, McDonough, Lamb, Catania (Harris), Walsh, Oatley, Browne, Vyse, Butcher, Younie Subs: Page, Myram, Parsons Man-of-the-match: Martin McDonough Port’s point leaves them 16th in Wessex Division 1, with 33 points from 25 games. Astonishingly, Newport have played 10 fewer games than their opponents Ringwood. Newport face Andover Town at Beatrice Avenue tomorrow (Thursday) with kick off at 19:45.
