Cowes Sports appear certain to retain their Wessex Premier status after beating Shaftesbury with a last-minute penalty this afternoon (Saturday, 15th April).
The game ended in controversy with strict referee Robert Walczak sending off 3 members of the Shaftesbury side as well as the Dorset club’s physio.
However, it was by no means a ‘dirty’ game. Shaftesbury – who had played attractive competitive football throughout the 90 minutes – refused to accept the penalty decision resulting in 4 injury time dismissals.
The 1st half was an even contest of few chances. Eli Ahmed had the 1st scoring opportunity for Cowes on the quarter hour mark but was disposessed by Shaftesbury keeper Tyler Disson. On the half hour mark, the Yachtsmen had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Walczak after a goalmouth scramble.
The Yachtsmen took the lead in the 37th minute after Jimmy Mumford had been brought down in the penalty area. Captain Fin Phillips sent Disson the wrong way, dispatching the resulting spot kick into the left side of the goal (1-0).
Shaftesbury had plenty of possession throughout the 1st half but lacked a cutting edge in the final third of the field.
Half time: Cowes Sports 1-0 Shaftesbury
The 2nd half was an open competitive affair with Shaftesbury having the lion’s share of chances. A superb goalkeeping display by Ed Hatt, the woodwork, good luck, and a final minute penalty ensured all 3 points remained on the Island.
Cowes had 2 good chances immediately after the interval. Eli Ahmed was unable to convert the 1st; the 2nd – a Fin Phillips free kick – was headed off the goal line.
Then, Shaftesbury upped their game, forcing a good save from Ed Hatt, shooting across the face of the goal and over the crossbar before Eder Baptiste sent a low shot into the left corner of the goal (1-1).
Further Shaftesbury pressure continued after their goal. In the 69th minute, the away side hit the crossbar then forced Ed Hatt to make his 2nd vital save. In the 74th minute, Shaftesbury hit the crossbar for a 2nd time before sending a follow up shot into the side netting.
Ed Hatt made his 3rd crucial intervention in the 78th minute – punching the ball over the crossbar – before Shaftesbury hit the crossbar for the 3rd time in the game. Meanwhile, Cowes had made their substitutions, bringing on Harri Catania, Caleb Neale, Jez Conway and finally that man John McKie.
Having weathered the storm, the final minutes of the game belonged to the Yachtsmen. In the 86th minute, John McKie had a strong goal attempt parried by Disson. A minute from full time, Disson fisted a McKie free kick over the crossbar.
In the 90th minute, Henry West was brought down in the penalty area. After a storm of protest from Shaftesbury both full backs – Billy Maybury and Jack Smith – were given their marching orders.
John McKie calmly dispatched the resulting penalty to give all 3 points to the Yachtsmen (2-1).
However, the drama had yet to end. Shaftesbury’s Louis Keleway was sent off for an injury time foul, following which the away side’s physio was red carded for protesting the decision. Finally – in the 9th minute of stoppage time – Jez Conway was booked for simulation.
Full time: Cowes Sports 2-1 Shaftesbury
Cowes Sports: Hatt, White, Dempsey, Watson, H. West, O. West, Phillips (c), Whittle (Catania), Wetherick (Conway), Ahmed (McKie), Mumford (Neale) Sub: Coode
After the game, Cowes manager Max Draper said:
“Over the season, we deserved to stay up. We got breaks in the last 2 games that we didn’t get earlier in the season.
“We’re forever the underdogs. However, our young squad have proved the doubters wrong.”
Wessex Premier table below:
PORT’S AUTOMATIC PROMOTION DREAM ENDS IN ANDOVER
Newport’s slender chances of reaching the top spot in Division 1 ended with a 4-1 defeat by top-of-the-table Andover New Street at Foxcotte Park this afternoon.
The County Town club – as in the previous season – will be 1 of 4 clubs in the play-off positions.
Newport began the game without regular keeper Leon Pitman – his place was taken by veteran Joe McCormack.
The Port were 3 goals down by the half time break. The Island side pulled a goal back through substitute Joe Butcher before a late goal ensured an unhappy return to the Island with zero points.
Full Time: Andover New Street 4-1 Newport IoW
Newport IoW: McCormack, Hughes, Triggs, Barron, Oatley (c), Pearce, Kelly, Boyd-Kerr, Younie, Colson, Nash Subs: Browne, Butcher, Chapman, Hancott
Defeat sees the Port drop from 2nd to 4th place in Wessex Division 1, behind Andover New Street, New Milton Town, and Hamworthy Recreation.
VICS VANQUISHED IN DORSET
East Cowes Vics took 50 supporters to Hamworthy in what was supposed to be the final game of the season for the East Cowes club.
Unfortunately, the Island side’s supporters returned home disappointed after seeing their side go down to a 1st half goal and a last-minute penalty.
Full time: Hamworthy Recreation 2-0 East Cowes Vics
Defeat leaves Vics 16th in the Division 1 table with 36 points from 36 games.
This Tuesday, Vics face Verwood Town at Beatrice Avenue. On Saturday, they travel to North Hampshire to play Andover New Street in their final fixture of the season.
Wessex Division 1 table below:
