YACHTSMEN EXIT EMIRATES FA CUP AT WESTWOOD PARK AFTER DEFEAT BY BULLDOGS

Cowes Sports were beaten 1-3 in the extra-preliminary round replay of the Emirates FA Cup at Westwood Park on Tuesday evening. The Yachtsmen were missing some key players, including Ryan Oatley, Liam Triggs, Joe Hancock, Ollie West and George Colson. However, they were bolstered by the return of Connor Kelly. The Bulldogs dominated the early stages, opening the scoring in the 10th minute with a great finish into the roof of the net from Russ Jones (0-1). 5 minutes later, Scott McFarlane put the home side back on level terms by powerfully heading a Harrison Dempsey cross into the corner of the goal, leaving the keeper stranded (1-1). The Wiltshire side continued to threaten, with Cowes keeper Ed Hatt called into action to tip the ball past the upright in the 31st minute, then denying Russell in the 35th. The Yachtsmen then had an opportunity to take the lead, but Jake Wright saw his goal attempt well saved by Lavy keeper Gunstone-Gray. The 1st half ended with a booking for Cowes captain Fin Phillips. Half time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Laverstock & Ford

The Bulldogs restored their lead in the 52nd minute through Archie Lovegrove (1-2). The Yachtsmen then made a couple of substitutions with Jez Conway surprisingly replacing goal scorer McFarlane, Connor Kelly taking the place of Charlie Marsek, and Flynn Jackman coming on for George Carter-Knight. Cowes appeared to have equalised in the 66th minute, only for Harrison Dempsey’s effort to be ruled offside.

Further substitutions followed with Will Bridi replacing Jordan Cook and Jared Tout coming on for Jimmy Mumford. Despite the substitutions, the Yachtsmen were unable to overcome a well organised Laverstock side, with Cameron Roach ending the game as a contest 7 minutes from full time with a short range strike after a goalmouth scramble (1-3). Full time: Cowes Sports 1-3 Laverstock & Ford

Cowes Sports: Hatt, Mumford, Dempsey, Chase, Hughes, McFarlane, Cook, Wright, Marsek, Carter-Knight, Phillips Subs: Jackman, Kslley, Tout, Conway, Bridi, McKie, Bridi (gk) The Yachtsmen now face Hamworthy Recreation at Westwood Park in the Wessex Premier on Saturday. This evening (Wednesday), in Wessex Division 1, Newport welcome Lymington Town at Beatrice Avenue. Kick off is at 19:45.