Cowes Sports slipped to a 2-0 defeat in miserable conditions at Laverstock & Ford – their fourth meeting with the Bulldogs this season.
The Yachtsmen were the only Isle of Wight side to complete a fixture today (22nd November), with Newport’s match postponed and East Cowes Vics’ game at Petersfield abandoned after 9 minutes.
Having already faced Laverstock twice in the FA Cup and once in an abandoned Wessex League Cup tie, Cowes were hoping to finally turn the tables on their familiar foes. The sides had drawn 2-2 at Westwood Park earlier in the season, while the Bulldogs edged a 2-1 win at the Dell.
Persistent rain made for difficult conditions in Wiltshire, and the hosts adapted better to the heavy surface. TJ Moseley and Cameron Roach both forced early saves from Ed Hatt before Cowes were dealt an early blow when Corey Sanderson limped off after just 10 minutes, replaced by Jayden Long. Archie Lovegrove then went close for Laverstock before the breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when a Cowes defender turned the ball into his own net.
Moseley almost doubled the advantage moments later, weaving past four defenders before dragging his shot wide.
Half time: Laverstock & Ford 1-0 Cowes Sports.
The second half brought no respite from the driving rain, and the Bulldogs continued to press. Carson Arnold and Hubert Cegielka both missed chances before Cegielka finally made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute with his first goal for the club. Laverstock created further opportunities but were denied by Hatt and some stubborn Cowes defending.
Full time: Laverstock & Ford 2-0 Cowes Sports.
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Flood, Chase, Oatley (c), Perrin, Carter-Knight, Hayward, Sanderson, Phillips, Cruttenden. Subs: Berry, Calder, Long, S. Backshall, Ram.
Cowes sports joint manager Mark Woodhouse remained upbeat after the game, saying:
“The conditions were horrendous, but the lads stuck with it and did really well, and they battled and in those conditions, that’s all you can really ask for.
“I’m really proud of the bunch of lads that have gone through that today. They’ve worked themselves to the bone.”
The defeat leaves Cowes Sports 15th in the Wessex League table with 16 points from 14 games. The Yachtsmen now turn their attention to Tuesday (25th November) when they welcome 2nd-placed Petersfield Town to the Zilch Waste Stadium.
VICS FRUSTRATED AS PETERSFIELD CLASH ABANDONED AFTER JUST 9 MINUTES
East Cowes Vics’ trip to face high-flying Petersfield Town in the Velocity Wessex Premier League was abandoned after 9 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch.
Vics had made the journey up the A3 to face the 2nd-placed side, but torrential rain shortly before kick-off left the surface treacherous. Despite efforts from both teams and officials to continue, conditions quickly deteriorated, and the referee was left with no choice but to call the game off for safety reasons.
By that point, both teams had already found the net. Jake Wright curled the Vics into an early lead after 2 minutes, only for Rocco Gamblin to equalise for Petersfield three minutes later. However, the abandonment meant both goals were voided.
East Cowes Victoria: Bridi, Snow, Newbold (c), Wheeler, Holbrook, Chapman, Wright, J. Neale, Kelly, Scrimshaw, C. Neale. Subs: Coode, Reynolds, Sweatman, Webb, Roberts (gk).
Next up for the Vics is an Isle of Wight Gold Cup fixture on Tuesday night at 19:30 against Osborne Coburg.
Newport’s game against Cove at the Zilch Waste Stadium was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
I thought at first (before I read the report) that these poor folks were mauled by real dogs !