Cowes Sports advanced to the 3rd round of the Hampshire Senior Cup by beating East Cowes Vics on penalties in front of 310 spectators on a damp and dramatic Tuesday evening.
Before kick off, a presentation was made to Vics midfielder Jordan Chapman to mark his 200th appearance for the club.
Vics began the brighter, taking the lead in the 7th minute when Cowes keeper Ed Hatt could only parry a corner, and the ball fell to Vics captain Liam Newbold, who dispatched it into the right corner of the goal (1-0).
The Yachtsmen equalised in the 12th minute through former Vics striker Charlie Marsek, who – after receiving a Ryan Oatley throw-in – turned 2 defenders before shooting into the bottom left corner (1-1).
The Yachtsmen then suffered a blow, with Joe Hancott forced off the pitch injured to be replaced by Jimmy Mumford.
Vics regained the lead in the 16th minute through centre forward Josh Neale, who smashed home a Toby Snow cross from the right (2-1).
Neale then bagged his brace in the 33rd minute by taking advantage of a deflected kick, which he directed into the bottom left corner (3-1).
The Yachtsmen were extremely fortunate not to have finished the 1st half with 10 men after Jez Conway was booked in the 33rd minute but inexplicably not penalised with a 2nd yellow for a further foul.
Half time: East Cowes Victoria 3-1 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen had finished the 1st half looking like a beaten side but – to their credit – clawed their way back into contention in the 2nd.
Both sides brought out their ‘big guns’ at the start of the 2nd half with John McKIe replacing Jackman for Cowes and new signing Scott Jones taking the place of 2-goal hero Josh Neale for Vics.
Cowes reduced Vics’ advantage to a single goal at just after the hour mark when Charlie Marsek was brought down in the penalty area by Toby Snow, and McKie coolly converted the resulting spot kick (3-2).
The Yachtsmen’s equaliser came 10 minutes from full time after Jimmy Mumford volleyed home a Ryan Oatley cross at the back post (3-3).
Full time: East Cowes Victoria 3-3 Cowes Sports
And so to penalties…
Vics keeper Alex Ram deftly saved the 2nd penalty from Fin Phillips to give Vics a goal advantage.
Cowes keeper Ed Hatt succeeded in pushing Caleb Neale’s 4th penalty for Vics on to the post to level the scores at 3-3.
John McKie converted the Yachtsmen’s 5th and final penalty; Jordan Chapman had his effort diverted onto the crossbar by Hatt to leave the away side rather than Vics in the 3rd round of the Servio Hampshire Senior Cup.
Penalties: East Cowes Victoria 3-4 Cowes Sports
East Cowes Victoria: Ram, Snow, H. Yates, Newbold (c), Wheeler, Sullivan, Chapman, Boyd-Kerr, J. Neale, Reynolds, Voller Subs: C. Neale, Hart, J. Yates, Kirby, Jones
Cowes Sports: Hatt, Hughes, Cook, Conway, Oatley (c), Hancott, Phillips, Jackman, McFarlane, Carter-Knight, Marsek Subs: Dempsey, McKie, Mumford, W. Bridi, G. Bridi (gk)
