Cowes Sports took all 3 points from Bournemouth Poppies with a dominant away performance this afternoon (10th January).
There was a welcome return to the starting line-up for Harrison Dempsey, while Harry Taylor made his first start as the Yachtsmen continued to build momentum under Mark Woodhouse.
The visitors seized control from the outset and carved out the early chances. On 11 minutes, neat passing between McFarlane, Bridi and Taylor ended with the latter forcing a save from distance, before Hughes surged down the right on 24 minutes to find Taylor again, only for the goalkeeper to deny him from the edge of the penalty area. 3 minutes later, Oatley met a corner with a firm header that drifted just wide as Cowes pressed for a breakthrough.
Despite that strong start, it was Poppies who edged in front. The hosts struck the post with their first real opportunity on 38 minutes, and 3 minutes later were awarded what appeared a soft penalty. Jake Cope converted from the spot to give Bournemouth the lead (1-0).
Half time: Bournemouth Poppies 1-0 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen emerged with purpose after the break and were rewarded on 54 minutes. Taylor turned his marker inside out before lifting a superb ball into the path of Will Bridi, who calmly chipped the advancing keeper to bring the visitors level (1-1).
Pressure continued to build. McFarlane’s shot was deflected into Bridi’s path 2 minutes later, but the chance drifted agonisingly wide, before Taylor again went close on 66 minutes with a strike from the edge of the area. Colson then saw a corner cleared off the line as Cowes looked to turn their dominance into a lead.
That moment arrived on 71 minutes. From another Colson delivery, Scott McFarlane rose to head home and put the Yachtsmen in front (1-2), a goal that reflected their control of the second half.
Poppies pushed late and struck the crossbar with a header on 84 minutes, but the visitors remained composed to see out a well-earned victory.
Full time: Bournemouth Poppies 1-2 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Dempsey, Chase, Oatley (c), Colson, Cruttenden, Phillips, Bridi, Taylor, McFarlane. Subs: Marsek, Ram (gk), Sanderson, West, Wykes.
The win lifts Cowes Sports above East Cowes Vics into 13th place in the Wessex Premier table with 25 points from 19 games, and represents a 3rd victory in 4 matches since Mark Woodhouse took sole charge.
The Yachtsmen travel across the Solent on Tuesday (13th January) to face Millbrook in the Wessex Premier.
PORT SHARE SIX-GOAL THRILLER ON LEAGUE RETURN
Newport’s first game of 2026 ended in an entertaining high-scoring draw against Kintbury Rangers at the Zilch Waste Stadium.
The reverse fixture had been played on 18th October and, with only five league matches since then, Newport showed signs of rust in a disjointed first half dominated by stoppages and free-kicks.
Despite the lack of flow, the opening 45 minutes produced four goals. Kintbury struck first when a long throw was flicked on for Oli Denner to tap in at the far post (1-0). Newport responded from the penalty spot, Ji Nash keeping his nerve to level matters (1-1).
The visitors went ahead again soon after, Denner finishing from close range after a long-range effort had crashed against the bar (2-1). Once more Newport replied, Nash converting a second spot-kick to make it 2-2.
Half time: Newport 2-2 Kintbury Rangers
The second half was a more open contest as both sides settled. Joe Craig added composure in midfield, and Newport edged in front for the first time when Joe Butcher timed his run to beat the offside trap before lifting a calm finish over the advancing goalkeeper (3-2).
However, the lead lasted little more than 2 minutes. A defensive mistake allowed Denner to complete his hat-trick from close range and restore parity (3-3).
The closing stages were stretched and end to end. Nash struck the crossbar after latching onto a loose back-pass, while Butcher was unable to convert from close range. At the other end, Kintbury also created openings but failed to take them.
Despite both benches being used, neither side could find a winner, and a share of the points appeared a fair outcome to the contest.
Full time: Newport 3-3 Kintbury Rangers
Newport IW: Pitman, Holbrook, Hancott, Lamb, Watterson, Thompsett, Grace, Catania, Craig, Butcher, Nash. Subs: Benford, Mazambara, Conway, Linington, Walsh. Man-of-the-match: Ji Nash
Newport remain 11th in Wessex Division 1 with 29 points from 17 games. Port travel to Ringwood on Tuesday before hosting Frimley next Saturday.
East Cowes Victoria went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Bemerton Heath Harlequins in Salisbury, losing out to a 2nd half penalty. Vics drop to 14th place in the Wessex Premier table with 24 points from 19 games.
The Victorians are next in league action on Tuesday when they face 2nd-placed Petersfield Town.
