Cowes Sports FC have finished their Wessex League campaign with 5 successive defeats.
The Yachtsmen’s final league match of the season saw second-from-bottom Hythe & Dibden travel to Westwood Park needing a win to retain their Wessex Premier Division status.
The Cowes side made a couple of goal attempts in the opening half hour through James Flux and Jack Barsdell. Hythe took the lead in the 27th minute when Cowes keeper Ed Hatt lost the ball with a wayward throw, which fell to Filippos Terzidis, who curled the ball into the back of the Cowes goal (0-1).
2 minutes later, Hythe doubled their lead when Steffan Williams slotted the ball past Ed Hatt from the edge of the penalty area (0-2).
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-2 Hythe & Dibden
Soon into the 2nd half, the Yachtsmen brought on Darren Williams and John McKie to bolster their attacking strength. However, the experienced forwards made little impression on the game.
The result was put beyond doubt mid-way through the 2nd half when a quick break from the visitors ended with Filippos Terzidis shooting past Ed Hatt from an acute angle (0-3).
Cowes brought on Aedan Coode for Jez Conway for the final 15 minutes, but this had little effect on the performance of the home side, who appeared way off the pace and never threatened the Hythe goal.
Full time: Cowes Sports 0-3 Hythe & Dibden
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Coshell (McKie 54), Dempsey, Cranwell, Conway (Coode 77), McFarlane, Phillips (c), Flux, Barsdell, Neale (Williams 54), Nash Subs (unused): T Mumford, Adams.
Cowes have ended their Wessex Premier campaign in 16th position with 35 points from 40 games
On Wednesday 27th April, Cowes Sports face Isle of Wight Division 1 champions Whitecroft & Barton Sports at Beatrice Avenue in the semi-final of the Gold Cup. Kick off is at 19:30.
VICS LOSE TO PORT’S PROMOTION RIVALS
Andover New Street ensured 2nd position in the table by beating East Cowes Vics at Beatrice Avenue.
Street took the lead after 5 minutes when a ball from Reece Rusher found Ross Cook, and the striker coolly beat debutant keeper Ben Woodford (0-1).
Vics battled gamely after going a goal behind with Sam Cant and Coner Lyon forcing good saves from Street goalkeeper Sean O’Brien.
Half time: East Cowes Vics 0-1 Andover New Street
The visitors were in the ascendant in the 2nd half. An unfortunate mistake from goalkeeper Ben Woodford led to the 2nd goal, when – under no pressure – he missed the ball completely from a corner, and it finished up inside the far post with Andover New Street’s Ross Cook claiming the final touch.
Full time: East Cowes Vics 0-2 Andover New Street
East Cowes Vics: B.Woodford, Berry, K Woodford, West, Gregory (c), Lyon, Chapman, Newbold, Cant, Snow, Marsek Subs: Terry, White, McNanney, Ash, Sheerin
After the game, Vics manager Richard Woodburn said:
“We finished the game with 6 teenagers in the side but gave a strong team a run for their money. 2 avoidable mistakes were the only difference between the 2 sides.”
Vics finish the season in 17th place in Wessex Division 1 with 27 points from 36 games.
