Cowes Sports have won their first game of the 2024/25 season with an away victory at previously undefeated AFC Stoneham this afternoon (Saturday).
Stoneham – who are 1 of the favourites for promotion from the Wessex Premier – predictably dominated possession, with Cowes attempting to hit their opponents with counter attacks.
Jez Conway opened the scoring for Cowes in the 23rd minute, with a bouncing volley from the edge of the 6-yard box after George Carter-Knight had delivered a 40-yard free kick into the Purples’ penalty area (0-1).
4 minutes later, Flynn Jackman added a 2nd for the Yachtsmen by slotting home a Bridi cross at the back post (0-2).
Cowes were unlucky not to have reached half time 3 goals to the good when Scott McFarlane had a powerful volley stopped by the Stoneham keeper.
Half time: AFC Stoneham 0-2 Cowes Sports
Cowes forward George Carter-Knight lost a tooth shortly after half time, which was retrieved by the Cowes physio.
The Yachtsmen were again unlucky not to be leading by a 3-goal margin when their keeper Seeley pulled off a spectacular double save to deny Jackman.
10 minutes into the 2nd half, the Purples pulled a goal back with an outrageous lob into the top right corner of the goal from Jim Orvis (1-2).
5 minutes from full time, the home side equalised through Alex Welch (2-2).
However, the final word of the game went to teenager Will Bridi, who knocked home a Charlie Marsek cross (2-3) ensuring the Yachtsmen returned home across the Solent with all 3 points.
Full time: AFC Stoneham 2-3 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Tout-Walters, Mumford, Conway, Oatley (c), Cranwell, Phillips, Jackman, McFarlane, Carter-Knight, Bridi Subs: Chase, Marsek, Backshall, Fever-Norton
After the game, Ian Potts – who has taken charge of the Yachtsmen since the departure of Max Draper – told Island Echo:
“The lads have been superb since I came in. They have listened and worked really hard to everything we have set in training, and the past couple of games they have played brilliantly with energy, organisation and a game plan but didn’t get the results they deserved.
“Today, they did exactly the same and got what they richly deserved against a strong title chasing team.
“I am so proud and pleased for all the players, management, team and everyone associated with Cowes Sports FC.
“It’s a good win and we must now enjoy it but move on, train and work hard this week and get ready for the next game.
“This league is brutal, and we have to be on it every game to get results.”
PORT PICK UP 3 POINTS TO EDGE TOWARDS PLAYOFF PLACES
Newport IW FC beat Romsey Town on the road to go 6th in Wessex Div 1.
Ji Nash opened the scoring for Port by converting a Kai Grace cross in the 20th minute (0-1).
Archie Greenough equalised for Romsey Town 4 minutes later (1-1).
Joe Butcher regained the lead for the away side 10 minutes from half time by smashing in a Ji Nash cross (1-2).
Half time: Romsey Town 1-2 Newport IW
Port came close to extending their lead 10 minutes after the restart when George Holbrook struck the upright.
The final goal of the game came courtesy of a Port penalty converted by Jordan Browne (1-3)
Full time: Romsey Town 1-3 Newport IW
Newport IW: Pitman, Grace, Wright, West, Thompsett, Holbrook, Nash, Oatley, Browne (c), Younie, Butcher Subs: Craig, Goldberg, Young, Walsh, Barron
VICS FIRE BLANKS AT BOTTOM CLUB WHITCHURCH
East Cowes Victoria were held to a goalless draw at Beatrice Avenue by Whitchurch United.
Vics manager Alex Smith was forced into several changes, with Elliot Wheeler, Aedan Coode and Jacob Reynolds all injured. In came Liam Triggs for his first start after joining from Cowes, Charlie Hart and Zak Sullivan .
Whitchurch set up solidly with a back five restricted Vics to very little in the first half. It was Whitchurch who probably had the best chance with Brett Denham chipping Alex Ram, but clearing the crossbar.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 0-0 Whitchurch United
Vics made a change in the second half, with Raff Boyd-Kerr going off after a nasty head injury to be replaced by Jacob Reynolds.
Whitchurch sat in even deeper, and Vics again had to try and break down a very resolute back five. Half chances for Josh Neale on 50 minutes and Charlie Hart on 51 minutes, saw the Victorians creating opportunities. Aaron Burton in the Whitchurch goal pulled off a wonderful save from a Charlie Hart effort in the 56th minute after great work from Josh Neale and Jacob Reynolds.
Vics were putting the pressure on now, and chances for Jacob Reynolds, Josh Neale and Liam Newbold weren’t taken. Whitchurch could have stolen all 3 points in the 75th minute, with Brett Denham in on goal with only Alex Ram to beat but shot over.
The big talking point of the half was in the 83rd minute; a searching ball found Scott Jones who – in a race for the ball – beat the Whjtchurch keeper to it, took a touch and got wiped out by a very physical challenge.
Burton walked away sheepishly, while Jones received lengthy treatment, and the referee walked over and brandished a yellow card at Burton. Vics captain Liam Newbold was then sent to the sin bin for untoward remarks made to the referee.
Whitchurch saw the game out against 10 men and got the point they clearly came to get and fully deserved.
Full time: East Cowes Victoria 0-0 Whitchurch United
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Snow, Yates, Newbold (c), Triggs, Sullivan, Chapman, Boyd-Kerr, Hart, J. Neale, Jones Subs: Voller, Reynolds, Kirby, C. Neale, Cutts
The result sees Vics fall from 1st to 3rd place in Wessex Division 1, 1 point behind Frimley Green and Alresford Town but with a game in hand over the 2 teams above.
On Tuesday, the Victorians travel to United Services Portsmouth for a Wessex League Cup fixture.
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