YACHTSMEN MAULED BY BADGERS IN EPIC 9-GOAL THRILLER AT WESTWOOD PARK

Cowes Sports put the ball in the back of the net 3 times but their defence leaked 6 goals in a hugely entertaining contest against a strong Brockenhurst side at Westwood Park (Zilch Waste Stadium) on Tuesday evening. The Yachtsmen have now conceded 18 goals in 5 league league games – more than any other Wessex Premier club. Regular goalkeeper Ed Hatt – whose partner gave birth on Monday – was missing from the line up, and his place was taken by teenage keeper George Bridi. However, George had kept clean sheets in the previous 2 matches against Romsey and Bournemouth Poppies. The  Badgers took an early 11th minute minute lead when the impressive Tiago Moreno tapped the ball into the goal after being set up by some skilful play from Corey Burns (0-1). The Yachtsmen conceded a 2nd goal in the 23rd minute after Harrison Dempsey had mishit the ball in an attempt to clear a Brockenhurst free kick. and the Badgers’ Joel Francis took advantage of the opportunity to score (0-2). The goal-of-the-game came shortly after the half hour mark when Badgers’ captain Elliott Pearce-Eavis dispatched a looping ball high into the far corner of the goal from an acute angle (0-3).

At this point in the game it appeared Cowes were destined to be defeated by a cricket score, but – to their credit – they fought back gamely. In the 3rd minute of first half injury time, Scott McFarlane rose above the Badgers’ defence to head in a Harrison Dempsey cross to reduce the deficit to 2 goals (1-3). Half time: Cowes Sports 1-3 Brockenhurst

The Yachtsmen made 1 change at half time with Liam Triggs replacing teenager Will Bridi. 4 minutes into the 2nd half, Cowes captain John McKie turned the game into an enthralling contest by volleying a Scott McFarlane chip into the back of the net (2-3). The Yachtsmen were now in the ascendancy, with Fin Phillips testing the Brockenhurst keeper and Joe Hancott having a header cleared off the goal line.

However, the Badgers always appeared dangerous on the break, scoring in the 68th minute when Luke Gray lobbed the ball over Bridi after he had mishit a pass (2-4). 2 minutes later, substitute Liam Triggs again reduced the deficit to a single goal by converting a Jimmy Mumford cross with a shot that rebounded off the inside of the right post (3-4). Sadly, the Yachtsmen were unable to take a point from the game. First, Tyler Wellman controversially restored the Badgers’ 2-goal advantage with a header after fouling a Cowes defender (3-5). Then, Lyle Simpson took advantage of a mishit Callum Chase pass to score a 6th goal for the visitors 5 minutes from full time (3-6). Full time: Cowes Sports 3-6 Brockenhurst

Cowes Sports: B.Bridi, Tout-Walters, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley, Hancott, Phillips, Jackman, McFarlane, McKie (c), W. Bridi Subs (all used): Mumford, Carter-Knight, Triggs, Marsek, Conway Defeat leaves the Isle of Wight’s sole Wessex Premier representatives 17th in the table after 5 games with 3 defeats, 2 draws and no wins. This Saturday, the Yachtsmen will be hopeful of securing their first league win of the season when they travel to the side they beat 0-5 in the FA Vase last Saturday: Bournemout Poppies.