YACHTSMEN TAKE BERTH IN WESSEX PREMERIERSHIP PLAYOFF POSITION

Cowes Sports have taken 5th spot in the Wessex Premiership after beating bottom club Lymington Town at Westwood Park yesterday evening (Tuesday). Earlier in the season, the Yachtsmen had beaten the Linnets 0-8 in the corresponding fixture on North Island. However, yesterday’s Lymington were a far stronger side than the one they had faced earlier in the season. The Yachtsmen dominated the 1st half with enough opportunities to score 3 or more goals, but the Linnets somehow reached the half time break on level terms. In the opening 30 minutes, Connor Kelly on the left wing and John McKie on the right consistently beat the Lymington defence for pace but without making the decisive breakthrough. Cowes’ 1st chance came in the 4th minute when a Kelly cross found McFarlane on the edge of the 6-yard box, which he mishit. John McKie spurned 2 good chances, having 1 shot blocked and a further scuffed goal attempt saved. Ryan Oatley then headed across the goal in the 23rd minute, and Colson shot just wide in the 25th.

The goal finally came in the 28th minute after George Colson had set up Connor Kelly for the winger to rifle the ball into the far side of the goal (1-0). 2 minutes later, the away side equalised through Richard Bakary with their 1st genuine scoring opportunity (1-1). Kelly could have regained the lead for the Yachtsmen when he lobbed the Lymington keeper on the stroke of half time, but had the ball robbed by a defender. Half time: Cowes Sports 1-1 Lymington Town The game sprang to life on the hour mark when Connor Kelly was taken out by the Lymington keeper in the right corner of the penalty area, injuring both players. However, a free kick and yellow card were awarded by the referee rather than a penalty and a straight red.

Substitute Caleb Neale then restored the Yachtsmen’s goal advantage in the 69th minute by shooting through a crowded penalty area 5 minutes after entering the field of play (2-1). 2 minutes later, Scott McFarlane headed a Ryan Oatley cross into the net from a couple of yards from the goal line (3-1). From this point in the game, a home win appeared certain. There were further goal attempts from the Yachtsmen, with Liam Triggs shooting just wide, Will Bridi having a shot stopped by the Lymington keeper, and George Colson striking the ball inches past the upright deep into injury time. Full time: Cowes Sports 3-1 Lymington Town Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hayward, West, Triggs, Oatley, Hancott (Cook), Phillips, Colson, McFarlane (Weeks), Mckie (c) (Neale), Kelly (W. Bridi) Sub (unused): G. Bridi (gk) Man-of-the-match: Brandon Hayward After the game, Cowes manager Max Draper said:

“At this point last year, we were 3rd-from-bottom. It was a horrible game, but we got there in the end. “Brandon (Hayward) did exceptionally well in his 1st game as full back. We also had 2 16-year olds who came on as subs (Will Bridi and Luka Weeks) and showed they could perform at this level.”

On the Yachtsmen’s chances of taking the 4th playoff spot, Max said:

“It’s between 6 teams separated by just 5 points.”

In Wessex Division 1, Newport (IW)’s game away to New Milton Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.