In the Wessex Premier, relegation-threatened Cowes Sports FC went down to a narrow defeat against high flying Horndean on Saturday (11th January) after failing to convert a penalty late in the game.
The Yachtsmen began the game well, almost scoring in the 3rd minute when the Horndean keeper parried a Fin Phillips free kick, but there was no Cowes forward on hand to tap in the rebound.
Cowes were punished for their profligacy three minutes later, when Bobby Scott showed his predatory instincts in front of goal by sublimely lobbing the ball over Ed Hatt in the Cowes goal to give the home side a 1-0 advantage; Liam Kimber had the opportunity to double the home side’s advantage in the 10th minute, when he found himself in a one-on-one situation with the already overworked Hatt. But, on this occasion, the visiting keeper came out on top and denied Horndean a second goal.
When the game’s second goal did arrive, it came at the other end, with Michael McEnnery on hand to apply the finishing touch for the Yachtsmen and level the score at 1-1.
Yet, after getting back on level terms, Cowes soon found themselves trailing 2-1 on the half-hour mark, following a goal from the Deans’ Mark Smith.
Shortly before half time, the Yachtsman came close to equalising. with two chances going narrowly wide: a Jimmy Wykes shot and an Ash Brett header.
HT: Horndean 2-1 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen began the second half just as they finished the first, by threatening Horndean’s advantage.It came as no surprise when they equalised for a second time just before the hour mark, when the outstanding Fin Phillips had a shot parried by the Deans keeper, only for Jimmy Wykes to blast in the rebound and level the score at 2-2.
However, as in the opening period, Cowes were unable to stay on level terms. Disaster struck in the 63rd minute, when Bobby Scott scored his second of the game to give the Deans a 3-2 advantage.
The Yachtsmen found themselves in a position to snatch another equalizer in the 75th minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, Horndean goalkeeper, Lloyd Thomas, saved Ash brett’s strike to send Cowes home to the Island empty handed.
FT: Horndean 3-2 Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Ricketts, Sexton (J White), Bryan, Brett, Dye (Carter-Knowles), Cranwell (Nash), Phillips, Wetherick, Wykes, McEnery
Defeat leaves Cowes in 19th position in the Wessex Premiership table. On Saturday 18th January, the Yachtsmen face another difficult away fixture, this time at Hamble.
