Cowes Sports have continued their momentum under Mark Woodhouse, claiming a second successive Wessex Premier victory this afternoon (20th December).
The Yachtsmen started brightly and almost took the lead early on when centre forward Jordan Browne struck the post.
New Milton’s first real opening arrived in the 16th minute. Oli Lowes went straight for goal from a free kick outside the box, but the effort went straight into the hands of Cowes goalkeeper Ed Hatt.
The Brickies threatened again on 33 minutes when David Bowmaster slid the ball into Brad Snelling inside the area. Snelling got a shot away, but Hatt got down well to turn it out for a corner.
Cowes took the lead in the 41st minute when George Colson produced a composed finish off the back of a skilful passing move to put the Yachtsmen ahead (0-1). Charle Marsek was substituted before the half time break, with talisman John McKie taking his place.
Half time: New Milton Town 0-1 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen doubled their lead in the 58th minute when substitute Scott McFarlane scored to make it (0-2).
New Milton responded just 4 minutes later as Niall Dixon produced a strike from outside the box , which took 2 deflections to beat keeper Hatt (1-2).
Cowes restored their 2-goal cushion in the 77th minute when Browne added a deserved third for the Yachtsmen (1-3).
The Brickies refused to go quietly and pulled another goal back in the 84th minute. Brad Snelling hammered a powerful strike past Hatt to make it (2-3) and went close to an equaliser late on, skipping past 2 defenders in the 88th minute before firing narrowly wide.
Cowes held firm through the closing stages to secure all 3 points.
Full time: New Milton Town 2-3 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Haward, Chase, Oatley (c), Colson, Marsek, Cook, Browne, Phillips, McFarlane. Subs: Ram, Bridi, Perrin, McKie, Taylor.
The win lifts Cowes Sports 3 places to 13th in the Wessex Premier table and moves them 2 points above East Cowes Vics ahead of the Boxing Day derby at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
PORT SINK AS GLASSPOOL HAT-TRICK POWERS PLANEMAKERS TO 8TH STRAIGHT WIN
Newport were undone by a ruthless second-half spell from Folland Sports as the Planemakers claimed an 8th successive league victory in the Wessex Division 1 this afternoon (20th December).
The afternoon began in farcical fashion when referee Liddard missed his boat to the Island, with local official Michael Hayward stepping in to take charge.
Port made a bright start and took the lead in the 11th minute. Joe Butcher delivered an excellent cross from the right and Ji Nash applied a beautiful finish to give the Isle of Wight side the advantage (1-0).
Folland responded strongly and struck the post on 27 minutes before Newport goalkeeper Leon Pitman produced a superb double save on 30 minutes to preserve the lead.
The pressure eventually told on 40 minutes. A goalmouth scramble ended with Jimi John forcing the ball home to bring the visitors level (1-1). However, many in the crowd believed the goal should have been disallowed for offside. Charlie Glasspool then went close before the break, heading just past the post.
Half time: Newport IW 1-1 Folland Sports
Port regained the lead in the 59th minute when Jez Conway curled a superb free kick home from outside the area to put Newport back in front (2-1).
That goal sparked Folland into life. Glasspool, who had already scored 15 times this season, levelled the scores on 66 minutes with a finish from a tight angle (2-2). Five minutes later, he struck again to put the Planemakers ahead (2-3), before completing a devastating hat-trick on 76 minutes to put the game beyond Port (2-4).
Joe Craig headed narrowly wide on 69 minutes, while substitute Sam Cant forced an excellent save on 80 minutes, as Newport pushed for a response. A strong appeal for handball from Joe Butcher late on was waved away, and the Planemakers returned to the mainland with all 3 points.
Full time: Newport IW 2-4 Folland Sports
Newport IW: Pitman, Grace, Thompsett, Hancott, Watterson (c), Lmamb, Nash, Mazambara, Conway, Craig, Butcher. Subs: Benford, Cant, Walsh, Young, Linington. Man-of-the-Match: Leon Pitman.
Despite the defeat, Newport remain 11th in Wessex Division 1 with 28 points from 16 games.
VICS HIT FOR SIX IN HEAVY HAMBLE DEFEAT
East Cowes Vics endured a miserable afternoon at the hands of Hamble Club in the Wessex Premier this afternoon (20th December).
Vics travelled to Hamble following last week’s narrow defeat to Baffins, with manager Alex Smith boosted by the return of Raff Boyd-Kerr after a 3-month injury absence.
The Monks took the lead after just 5 minutes. A long throw caused problems in the Vics penalty area, with the ball breaking loose for skipper Matt Casey, who fired beyond George Bridi and into the corner of the net (1-0).
Hamble continued to press, with Elliot Wheeler firing over on 12 minutes and Casey shooting wide soon after. Bridi then saved well on 21 minutes to keep the score down.
Vics threatened on 24 minutes when Jake Scrimshaw was dragged to the ground. The striker took the resulting free kick himself, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
The Monks doubled their lead on 29 minutes, with Casey volleying home from close range after another loose ball in the area (2-0). Hamble added a third on 43 minutes; Braydon Douglas curling a free kick home from 20 yards after a foul was conceded (3-0).
Half time: Hamble Club 3-0 East Cowes Vics
Any hopes of a Vics response were ended just 1 minute after the restart when Nick Yeomans tapped home from close range for the Monks (4-0).
Jordan Cunningham added a fifth on 58 minutes (5-0), before Casey completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 76 minutes (6-0).
Full time: Hamble Club 6-0 East Cowes Vics
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Newbold (c), Triggs, Wheeler, Chapman, Wright, J. Neale, Kelly, Scrimshaw, C. Neale. Subs: Holdsworth, Hart, Bricknell, Holdbrook, Boyd-Kerr Man-of-the-match: Liam Triggs
The defeat sees East Cowes Vics drop to 14th in the Wessex Premier table with 20 points from 16 games.
