Cowes Sports were on the wrong end of a tough Island clash as high-flying Portland United claimed the points in the Wessex Premier this afternoon (Saturday 7th February).
After weeks disrupted by postponements, Cowes arrived on the Isle of Portland facing a side sitting 4th in the table and in confident form. For 25 minutes, the Yachtsmen competed well, but once the breakthrough came, the afternoon quickly became an uphill battle.
Portland took the lead on 26 minutes through Archie Woolford (1-0), and just 3 minutes later George Stuttle doubled the advantage with a free kick (2-0). Woolford struck again soon after, finishing following good work from Patrick Jenkins to make it 3 before Cowes could regroup (3-0).
The hosts added a 4th deep into first-half stoppage time when Sam Gadsby found the net, leaving the Yachtsmen with a mountain to climb at the interval.
Half Time: Portland United 4-0 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen showed spirit after the break and were rewarded on 58 minutes. George Colson produced a moment of quality, scoring directly from a corner to pull one back and give the travelling Island support something to cheer (4-1).
Any hope of a sustained recovery was short-lived. Portland responded almost immediately, Borthwick finishing with a clever backheel after a flowing move to restore the 4-goal cushion (5-1). The scoring was completed on 80 minutes when Ben Morris added a 6th to cap a dominant home display (6-1).
Full Time: Portland United 6-1 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley, Colson, Cook, Phillips, Browne, Marsek, Mumford. Subs: Haward, Flood, Carter-Knight, England, West.
After the match, Cowes Sports secretary Lisa Woodford said:
“Massive respect to the lads for making the journey and sticking at it. A few weeks without games and then a long trip like that was never going to be easy.
Results don’t define us — we go again together.”
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The defeat leaves the Yachtsmen 15th in the Wessex Premier with 21 points from 25 games. Focus now turns to Tuesday’s Gold Cup semi-final against Isle of Wight League champions Whitecroft & Barton Sports, kicking off at 19:45 at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes.
Elsewhere, East Cowes Victoria’s home match with Hamble and Newport’s fixture against Division 1 leaders Colden Common were both postponed.
On Tuesday (10th January), Vics travel to 3rd-placed Petersfield Town (19:45), while Newport make the short trip to United Services Portsmouth (19:45).
