A trio of second half goals saw Cowes Sports return all 3 points from their visit to the Isle of Portland to the Isle of Wight yesterday (Saturday).
The Yachtsmen began the game patiently, with the back line holding possession and trying to find gaps in the home defence.
However, the Isle of Wight side suffered a blow in the 16th minute with Jimmy Mumford coming off injured to be replaced by Ryan Hughes.
Cowes had their first chance in the 18th minute when Jared Tout-Walters had a shot parried by the Portland keeper, with Charlie Marsek unable to take advantage of the spilled ball.
A further chance fell for George Carter-Knight in the 25th minute, who failed to connect with his shot cleanly, allowing the Portland keeper to collect.
The Yachtsmen’s final chance of the first half came in the 39th minute from a Tout-Walters cross, which Jordan Browne laid on for Carter-Knight, whose strike was blocked and cleared.
Half time: Portland United 0-0 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen continued to put pressure on Portland early in the 2nd half, with McFarlane shooting wide in the 49th minute.
However, the home side still provided a potent threat with Ed Hatt twice called into action to parry Portland goal attempts.
Cowes continued to apply pressure, with Tout-Walters having a shot saved and Jordan Browne heading wide.
The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Jordan Browne connected with a Tout Walters cross to put the Yachtsmen into the lead (0-1).
Portland were denied an equaliser by Ed Hatt in the 74th minute, who made a great reaction save to keep out a header.
McFarlane had the opportunity to extend the away side’s lead but headed over the crossbar.
Charlie Marsek then gave Cowes a 2-goal cushion by beating a defender before directing the ball into the top right corner of the goal with 10 minutes of the match remaining (0-2).
Portland continued to fight, with Ed Hatt coming to the rescue of the Island side once again, foiling the Portland winger in a 1-on-1 scoring opportunity.
However, the Yachtsmen had the final word in the contest when Tout-Walters was brought down in the penalty area, and Scott McFarlane calmly slotted the resulting spot kick home (0-3).
Full time: Portland United 0-3 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Dempsey, Mumford, Chase, Oatley (c), Wright, Tout-Walters, Carter-Knight, Browne, McFarlane, Marsek Subs: Jackman, Hughes, Flood, Lovett-Fenner, McKie
Victory for the Yachtsmen sees Cowes rise to 12th in the Wessex Premier with 32 points from 25 games.
After the game, Cowes co-manager Mark Woodhouse said:
“I’m beaming from ear to ear. What a fantastic result!
“We had a bit of turmoil pre-game with one of the lads dropping out due to illness. Then we get an injury on 15 minutes, plus we’ve got boys out. But we never make excuses for that when we lose. But when we win, that sort of stuff just makes it more special.
“The boys worked hard in the week, and they executed the game plan perfectly. I’ve been down a few times and never got anything.
“The lads have moved on from Stoneham last week, which was particularly tough and added a bit of quality in the final third. It gives us massive confidence for the games ahead.
“We’re buzzing.”
