A lacklustre Cowes Sports side failed to keep the momentum of 2 successive victories, going down 0-2 to United Services Portsmouth at Westwood Park on Tuesday evening.
The Yachtsmen were without captain John McKie (rested) for the visit of US Portsmouth – attacking midfielder Mark Taylor was given his number 9 shirt. Cowes had 2 experienced strikers on the bench: Jared Wetherick and Connor Furmidge. However, both players were returning from a period of injury-enforced inactivity.
Ollie West was also absent from the Island side due to work commitments.
In the 3rd minute, Harrison Catania saw a long-range effort easily collected by USP keeper Owen Craig. This was to prove the only effort the home side had on target all evening.
In the 7th minute, US Portsmouth’s No 9 Bradley Norton shot just over the crossbar.
In the 37th minute, Mark Taylor failed to get a foot to a cross from Jordan Whittle in a promising position in front of goal.
In the final minute of the half, Lamin Jatta was unlucky not to score for the visitors when he had a shot stopped by the feet of Ed Hatt.
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-0 United Services Portsmouth
After an even 1st half of few chances, the visitors took control of the game after the half time break. Only some profligate finishing and good stops from Ed Hatt kept the deficit to 2 goals.
2 minutes into the second half, USP’s Elliot Holmes somehow managed to shoot over the crossbar when putting the ball into the back of the net would have been easier. 10 minutes later, Holmes again shot wide from a promising position.
In the 56th minute, Hatt was forced to make a good stop from a powerful shot from Liam Kelly. Hatt then mishit a pass to a defender and was lucky to be able to retrieve the ball after gifting the ball to the opposition.
The Yachtsmen attempted to change the shape of the game, bringing on Caleb Neale for Aedan Coode, Jared Wetherick for Brandon Hayward and Conor Furmidge for Harri Catania, yet still contrived to create few chances.
In the 72nd minute, substitute Simon Woods made the inevitable breakthrough for the visitors (0-1).
A minute later, Elliot Holmes added a 2nd for the away side with a curling shot from the middle of the penalty area (0-2).
US Portsmouth could have further extended their lead but for 2 good stops from Ed Hatt in the 82nd and 86th minutes.
Full time: Cowes Sports 0-2 United Services Portsmouth
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey. Whittle, White (Perrin), Conway, McFarlane, Catania (Furmidge), Hayward (Wetherick), Taylor, Coode (C. Neale), Phillips
NASH SEES HOLDERS NEWPORT THROUGH TO GOLD CUP SEMI FINAL
Gold Cup holders Newport have reached the semi finals of the competition after knocking out Whitecroft & Barton Sports at Smallbrook.
The game was killed as a contest by a Ji Nash hat trick in the opening 17 minutes.
Jordan Browne then added a 2nd goal for the Port before the half time interval.
Barry Calvert scored a 2nd half consolation goal for W&B.
Full time: Newport (IoW) 4-1 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Newport (IoW): Pitman, Boyd-Kerr, Sampson, Reynolds, Oatley, Barron, Nash, Triggs, Browne, Younie, Chapman Subs: Hancott, McCormack (gk), Butcher
2 teams – Shanklin and Newport – have now reached the semi-final stage of the competition. In the remaining quarter finals, Cowes Sports play Binstead & COB on Tuesday 7th March and West Wight face East Cowes Vics on Wednesday 8th March.
VICS VANQUISHED AT ROMSEY
East Cowes Vics have slumped to their 3rd successive defeat after a 7-game unbeaten run.
Vics went down to a 26th minute goal from Jack Odam and a 90th minute strike by Josh Gibson.
Full time: Romsey Town 2-0 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Vics: Ram, Snow, Woodford, West, Chase, Taylor, Cant, Lyon, Radford, Yates, Marsek Subs: Parsons, Wragg, White, Ashley, Turner
Vics’ defeat leaves them 16th in Wessex Division 1, 2 points and 2 places above Ash United in the 3rd relegation spot.
Wessex League tables below:
