Cowes Sports beat West Wight in the quarter final of the Gold Cup at the Zilch Waste Stadium on Tuesday evening.
However, the Island League side were no pushovers for their Wessex Premier hosts, who took over an hour to edge in front after conceding an early goal.
The game – played in a torrential downpour – had the flavour of Cowes Sports v Cowes Sports Old Boys, with Ash Brett, Gareth Bricknell, Chris Elliott, Zak Harris and Charlie Smeeton all having made appearances for the Yachtsmen.
The 1st half saw Cowes dominating possession and West Wight defending deep, with the heroic efforts of West Wight’s veteran keeper Joe McCormack largely to thank for the away side reaching the half time break on level terms.
West Wight’s experienced forward line of Gareth Bricknell, Josh Daley and Charlie Smeeton were always a danger for the home side. In the 18th minute, Josh Daley won the aerial battle against the Cowes defence by heading a Brad Thomas corner into the goal to stun the Westwood Park faithful by giving the Island League side a shock lead (0-1).
7 minutes later, the Yachtsmen were back on level terms when George Carter-Knight capitalised on a defensive error before slotting the ball past McCormack (1-1).
Cowes Sports continued to press for the remainder of the half but were kept at bay by poor finishing and the brilliance of McCormack.
Half time: Cowes Sports 1-1 West Wight
West Wight came close to retaking the lead 4 minutes into the 2nd half when Charlie McFarlane volleyed the ball high over the crossbar from 8 yards.
McCormack and the West Wight defence held firm until the 68th minute when Ryan Oatley rose above the away side’s defence to finally head the home side into the lead (2-1).
The Yachtsmen’s 3rd goal came courtesy of a superb 25-yard Jimmy Mumford strike into the top right corner in the 81st minute (3-1).
George Carter Knight then bagged his brace 4 minutes from full time by dribbling a short corner into the penalty area before dispatching the ball into the bottom corner (4-1).
Substitute Jez Conway grabbed a 5th goal for the Yachtsmen on the stroke of full time by slotting a John McKie pass into the right corner (5-1).
Full time: Cowes Sports 5-1 West Wight
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Mumford, Chase, Oatley, Phillips, Cook, Jackman, McFarlane, McKie (c), Carter-Knight Subs: Conway, Dempsey, Tout-Walters, Haward, Salter
West Wight: McCormack, Phillips, Reeves, McFarlane, Brett, Jones, Burgess, Thomas, Bricknell, Daley, Smeeton Subs: Harrrs, Turner, Elliott, Gearing, Holmes
After the game, Ash Brett said on behalf of West Wight:
“I thought we did well for 80 minutes. The 3 goals at the end didn’t reflect our efforts in the game and how well we played and defended in particular.
“We had 2 great chances to go 2-1 up as well, but unfortunately we didn’t take them, and then they scored straight away which turned the game.
“All in all, really proud of the team. Good luck to Cowes in the semi finals.”
Tonight (Wednesday, 27th November), Newport IW face Clanfield in Wessex Division 1 at Beatrice Avenue. A win would see Port leapfrog East Cowes Vics into the playoff place positions. Kick off is at 19:45.
