Cowes Sports booked their place in the First Round Proper of the FA Vase with a 2-1 victory over New Milton Town at the Zilch Waste Stadium on Saturday (20th September).
The Yachtsmen started strongly, with an early chance in the 3rd minute when teenager Jared Tout-Walters cut inside and found George Carter-Knight, who lifted the ball over the defence for Fin Phillips. His chip beat the keeper but was hooked off the line by a retreating defender.
Pressure continued throughout the first half, with penalty appeals waved away and several attempts from distance and dangerous crosses going unconverted. By the 22nd minute, Cowes had had three chances inside the box saved or blocked, while at the other end the Brickies managed only a half-chance that ran out of play.
The breakthrough finally came on 43 minutes when – after relentless pressure – Jared Tout-Walters finally breached the visitors’ defence by cutting inside then firing low into the right corner after being set up by George Carter-Knight to give the Yachtsmen a deserved lead into the interval.
Half time: Cowes Sports 1-0 New Milton Town
The second half began with a scare as New Milton broke forward to set up a one-on-one with the Cowes keeper, only for Ed Hatt to produce a fine stop. That moment proved crucial, as Cowes extended their advantage on the hour mark when a long throw from Scott McFarlane was flicked on by Ryan Oatley and met at the back post by Callum Chase, who headed home (2-0).
With substitutions on both sides disrupting the rhythm, the Yachtsmen still looked the more likely to score. Charlie Haward headed over from a cross, while John McKie sliced wide from close range after excellent work by McFarlane down the right.
The Brickies pulled one back late in the 88th minute through Billy Maybury, who worked the ball around the edge of the box before finding the bottom right corner. However, the Yachtsmen held on to go into the hat for the next round.
Full time: Cowes Sports 2-1 New Milton Town
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Flood, Mumford, Chase, Colson, Carter-Knight, Phillips, McFarlane, Cook, Tout-Walters Subs: Perrin, Haward, McKie, Sanderson, Backshall Man-of-the -match: Jared Tout-Walters
After the game, Cowes co-manager Mark Woodhouse said:
“New Milton came with an obvious plan to sit in first half and they did that really well. They gave us a good challenge and instead of getting frustrated, we enjoyed that challenge and kept to what we asked the lads to do. The movement was great and then we got the goal which we really deserved just before half time.
“Second half, we were a little bit too quick to move the ball forward but once we settled we got the ball moving again. The second goal was great. It was nice for Callum Chase to score when lots of his kids from school were here to watch.
“We probably should have killed it, but we’re through and that’s the important thing. We’re really excited now to see who we get in the next round.”
NEWPORT EXIT FA VASE AFTER EARLY STURMINSTER STRIKES
Newport’s FA Vase run ended in frustration as they fell 2-0 to Western League side Sturminster Newton United in heavy rain on a decent pitch.
Port began the game poorly, conceding twice inside the opening 10 minutes. Harry Taylor had an early long-range effort for the Islanders, but a controversial free kick on the edge of the box allowed Ben Knight to head unmarked into the far post (1-0). Moments later, Ashley Clarke capitalised on a poor back-pass, rounded the keeper, and finished with aplomb to double the lead (2-0).
Newport offered little threat early on, their best chances coming from Joe Butcher, whose drilled cross went unanswered and a header that narrowly missed. Captain Macauley Waterson thought he had pulled one back on 35 minutes, only for the offside flag to intervene. Newport grew into the game, with Jez Conway solid in defence and Mikey Thompsett tireless in midfield.
Half time: Newport 0-2 Sturminster Newton United
The second half saw Sturminster dominate early again, winning a penalty that Leon Pitman superbly saved low to his right. Despite some half-chances and a long-range effort that was pushed behind, Newport were unable to get back into the tie, and it is the Dorset side that enter the draw for the First Round Proper.
Full time: Newport 0-2 Sturminster Newton United
Newport IW: Pitman, Grace, Benford, Young, Watterson, Conway, Linington, Walsh, Taylor, Thompsett, Butcher Subs: Myram, Oatley, West
Port are next in action on Tuesday when they faced Fleetlands at the Zilch Waste Stadium. Kick off is at 19:45.
VICS STRUGGLE TO KEEP PACE WITH ZEBRAS IN FA VASE
East Cowes Victoria were knocked out of the FA Vase by Sherborne Town in Dorset.
The visitors were caught off guard early, with Jamie Jarman heading just over after nine minutes. Sherborne went ahead shortly after when Henry Lawrence-Napier scored in the 11th minute (1-0).
The game became physical, with Jamie Wright booked in the 32nd minute before being replaced by George Holbrook seven minutes later.
Half time: Sherborne Town 2-0 East Cowes Victoria
The second half saw Aedan Coode substituted off for Jake Wright in the 54th minute. The visitors struggled to create chances, and Sherborne doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute through Ollie Hebbard (2-0).
Late substitutions included Liam Newbold off for Cruz Wragg and Charlie Hart replaced by Adam Voller in the 80th minute. The hosts saw out the game to secure their entry into the next round, knocking Vics out of the competition before reaching the First Round proper.
Full time: Sherborne Town 2-0 East Cowes Victoria
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Snow, Newbold, Triggs, Jamie Wright, Wheeler, Hart, J. Neale, C. Neale, Coode, Kelly Subs: Roberts, Voller, Wragg, holbrook, Jake Wright
Vics are next in action on Tuesday evening when they travel to Portsmouth to face Baffins Milton Rovers. Kick off is at 19:45.
