Cowes Sports 2 v US Portsmouth 4

After a bright start and a twentieth minute opener, the Yachtsmen fell away as the visitors hit back to lead at half-time.

Danny Ross fired an early chance into the side netting, but when Tom Dye flicked on Gareth Bricknell’s corner, Lee Davies was on hand to force the ball home from close range.

Cowes looked to be in control and could easily have gone further ahead, but as half-time approached the Servicemen equalised, Dale Holmes scoring from three yards after Dave Thurman had parried his first effort and with almost the last kick of the half they snatched the lead, though Mark Robinson looked offside before coolly converting a through ball.

Ten minutes into the second half Cowes conceded another, Dan Appleby firing his shot under Thurman’s body as he came out to intercept.

The visitors’ keeper, Peter Houkes was in inspired form, making a string of brilliant saves. First he tipped a twenty-five yard free-kick from Kurt Butt round the post, then he twice denied Danny Ross before the striker hit the post when well placed.

On seventy-five minutes Harry Dye reduced the arrears, following a corner from brother Tom and Cowes came close to equalising, before Tom Grise settled it with his side’s fourth. A free-kick from the left wing eluded the home defence and the substitute nodded home at the far post.

Still the chances continued at both ends, Thurman saving twice and Houkes having the last word as he tipped away Ross’s back header.

If he wasn’t already aware, Cowes Manager Steve Taylor will now know that this will not be an easy Division to get out of.

Cowes Sports:

D. Thurman, M. Herbert, K. Butt, C. Insley, S. Yelland, H. Dye, L. Davies, T. Dye, C. Thomas, D. Ross, G. Bricknell.

Substitutes: S. Perfect, M. Jones, J. Dyer, S. Augustus, C. Norris.