WEST WIGHT 1 v 2 COWES SPORTS

In the week leading up to the Christmas celebrations Cowes Sports 1st team made the short trip to Freshwater to take on a strong West Wight side in the 1/4 final of the Gold Cup.

Cowes welcomed back Craig Insley and Lee Davies following long term injuries with Ash Brett and Dom Burbidge starting on the bench.

The first half was played mainly between both penalty areas with very little goalmouth action. Former West Wight keeper, Chris Norris earned his keep with a good block following a corner, whilst Cowes’ only effort was a Gareth Bricknell effort that ended up in the car park.

Mid way through the half, Craig Insley went down on the edge of the Cowes area with no player within ten yards, another ankle injury which looked serious but later news was that he hopes will only be a few weeks out. He was replaced by Myles Taylor who within fifteen minutes found himself in Referee Matt Sainsbury’s little black book for what he thought was a two footed challenge, but most people watching thought was a great tackle that won the ball.

So nil-nil at the break and all present were hoping for something a bit more enthralling in the second half.

The second period started much the same way. With extra time looking the most likely outcome a West Wight handball in the 73rd minute gave the Yachtsmen a free kick some 20 yards from goal, Jamie DYER spotted a gap on the left side of the wall and stepped up to fire a shot past and into the left corner of the goal to finally break the deadlock.

In the 78th minute Chris Norris could only parry a cross from the Cowes right and was thankful to Lee Davies who cleared to the left to safety, Mikey Jones prevented the ball from going out for a throw in and pushed forward before releasing substitute Dom Burbidge with a ball down the left touchline. Dom breezed past his marker before squaring the ball to unmarked skipper Gareth BRICKNELL who kept his cool to slot home number two and seemingly book a place in the semi finals.

With just two minutes left a cross from the Cowes right into the six yard box looked to be Chris Norris’s, but former Yachtsman player Harry DYE managed to get his head to the ball first and head in from close range to set up a nervous final few minutes which was played out without any further incidents, leaving the Yachtsmen in the draw with Newport, Northwood and the winner of the Brading v Shanklin match.

Team:- C. Norris, C. Insley, M. Herbert, S. Yelland, A. Bryan, L. Davies, M. Jones, G. Bricknell capt, J. Dyer, C. Thomas, D. Williams, Subs; M. Taylor, D. Burbidge, A. Brett, not used – C. Hlomes + J. Winchcombe.