On a day in which all 3 Isle of Wight sides lost against mainland opposition, Cowes Sports went down to the strongest side in the Wessex Premier: Hamworthy United.
The Yachtsmen began the game on the front foot with John McKie having a curling shot fisted away by the Hamworthy keeper in the 5th minute.
The Island side were not overawed by playing a side leading their division by 4 points and remained competitive throughout the game. However, it was the mainland side which had the lion’s share of chances and Cowes had the fine form of keeper Ed Hatt to thank for not conceding a greater number of goals.
In the 20th minute, Ed made a great block with his feet from Hamworthy’s Eddie Hodge, before fisting the ball over the crossbar from the resulting corner. 4 minutes later, the Cowes keeper made the save of the game, stretching full length to block a Hamworthy thunderbolt destined for the back of the net.
The Hammers finally took the lead in the 29th minute when a long punt from their goalkeeper Shane Murphy found Jack Lovell in the Yachtsmen’s penalty area, who finally beat Hatt (0-1).
In the 34th minute, Cowes had a strong appeal for a penalty when Gareth Bricknell was brought down in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on. It was the Hammers who were now bringing the game to the Yachtsmen, who were lucky to reach the half time interval only 1 goal behind through some great last ditch defending from their resolute defence.
Half time: Cowes Sports 0-1 Hamworthy United
The Hammers sought to extend their lead in the 2nd half, having goal attempts blocked by Cowes heads and boots on their goal line. In the 57th minute, Cowes added some fresh legs to their side with Jack Barsdell coming on for full back Joe Adams and Aedan Coode replacing Jez Conway.
In the 66th minute, Jimmy Mumford had a good low shot from the edge of the penalty area blocked by Hammers keeper Murphy. 3 minutes later, John McKie curled the ball just past the far post of the Hamworthy goal.
However, it was the visitors who were to extend their lead in the 74th minute when a cross from Jack Lovell found centre forward Max Wilcock 4 yards from the Cowes goal line for the centre forward to blest the ball into the back of Ed Hatt’s goal (0-2).
Full time: Cowes Sports 0-2 Hamworthy United
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Adams (Barsdell), Wykes, West, Watson, Bricknell, Phillips, Mumford (Holmes), Conway (Coode), McKie, Nash Subs: Tickner, Denness (gk)
Defeat leaves the Yachtsmen in 15th place in the Wessex Premier with 33 points from 31 games, 22 points above the relegation zone.
On Tuesday evening, Cowes Sports travel across the Solent to face 12th-placed Fareham Town.
In other games …
Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1-0 Newport IoW
The Port’s chances of achieving automatic promotion this season now appear slim after losing to league leaders Bemerton by a single goal in the 21st minute from Callum Sweeney.
Newport are now in 4th place in Division 1 with 68 points from 21 games, 7 points behind Bemerton but with a game in hand.
On Wednesday (2nd March), the Port play Oakfield at Beatrice Avenue in the Quarter Final of the Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup. Kick-off is at 19:45.
New Milton Town 4-2 East Cowes Vics
Vics lost to a mid-table New Milton side despite taking an early lead with a shot-come-cross from Coner Lyon in the 35th minute. New Milton then scored twice to take a 2-1 half time lead.
In the 2nd half, Jordan Chapman equalized for Vics before 2 late New Milton goals saw off the East Cowes side.
Defeat leaves Vics in 16th place in Division 1 with 27 points from 21 games, 8 points above the relegation zone.
