After a promising start in which they took the lead, Cowes Sports FC then conceded 4 goals and remain second-from-bottom in the Wessex Premier following last night’s (Tuesday’s) match against Fareham.
Cowes made 3 changes to the starting line up that had lost 2-4 at Hamble on Saturday. In came George Carter-Kight, Tom Dye and Fin Phillips, with Mitchell Ricketts and George Carter-Knight
relegated to the subs bench and captain Ash Brett unavailable.
The match began 15 minutes late due to the cancellation of the 18:00 ferry delaying the visitors from the mainland.
The Yachtsmen began the game very much on the front foot, playing at a fast tempo and creating chances for themselves. In the 4th minute, Michael McEnery was played on into the area but had his shot smothered by the Creeksider’s keeper, Lewis Watch. Then, in the 9th minute, McEnery burst through again and succeeded in rounding the keeper only to send his shot harmlessly over the crossbar.
Ji Nash opened the scoring for Cowes in the 10th minute, sending a powerful low shot past Lewis Watch after being put through by George Carter-Knight. (1-0)
A minute later, the Yachtsmen nearly added a second when Jimmy Wykes made a strong run into the Fareham penalty area, but Lewis Watch was able to save comfortably.
After the strong showing by the Yachtsmen in the opening 15 minutes, the Creeksiders got back into the game with the home side failing to close down their opponents in midfield and allowing them far too much time on the ball. First, Will Harris shot over Ed Hatt’s crossbar after a goalmouth scramble. Then, Fareham centre forward, Simon Woods shot past the far post and had a powerful shot saved by Hatt. In the 23rd minute, Fareham captain, Archie Wilcox was allowed a free header in the Cowes penalty area, but directed the ball at Hatt.
On the half hour mark, Jared Wetherick sent a powerful effort just over the Fareham crossbar. However, 3 minutes later, the Creeksiders were to equalise, when Simon Woods received the ball just inside the Cowes penalty area and dispatched a low shot past Hatt. (1-1)
HT Cowes Sports 1-1 Fareham Town
The second half began disastrously for the home side. In the 55th minute, Archie Wilcox put Fareham in the lead from close range after the ball had been played across the goalmouth (1-2). 2 minutes later, referee Robert Walczak awarded the Creeksiders a penalty after Joe White was judged to have held an opponent in the penalty area. The spot-kick was comfortably converted by Wilcox (1-3).
Jimmy Wykes had a chance to pull one back for the home side after making a powerful run from midfield, but sent his effort over the Fareham crossbar.
Then, in the 68th minute, full back Ethan Jones scored a fourth for the away side, sending in a shot from close range at the near post following a corner. (1-4).
Max Draper then threw on his substitutes, with Ben Snow replacing Tom Dye, Scott McFarlane coming on for Jimmy Wykes and Mitchell Ricketts taking the place of Aidan Bryan.
Ed Hatt, in the Cowes goal, had a magnificent game, preventing the Yachtsmen from falling further behind. However, Hatt was very lucky not to have been sent off in the 77th minute when he handled the ball outside his area, but the incident went unnoticed by the referee.
Cowes ended the game with 10 men, following an injury to Snow 5 minutes before the final whistle. The Creeksiders were unable to use their extra man to inflict further punishment on a sorry Cowes side, and returned across the Solent with a comfortable 1-4 victory.
FT: Cowes Sports 1-4 Fareham Town
Cowes: Hatt, C White, Carter-Knight, Bryan (Ricketts), J White, Dye (Snow), Wykes (McFarlane), Phillips, Wetherick, Nash, McEnery
On Saturday, Cowes travel to third-from-bottom Bournemouth, in a must-win ‘6 point’ game. The Yachtsmen entertain Baffins Milton Rovers next Tuesday (4th February) at Westwood Park,
kick-off 19:45.
