drop alive for the time being.

Cowes took a sixteenth minute lead when an Alton defender was somewhat harshly penalised as his attempted clearance hit his hand, but Gareth Bricknell kept his cool to despatch the resulting penalty.

After thirty-eight minutes, Bricknell was crudely clattered into by Alton’s Clive Hibbert. The Cowes midfielder was carried off and replaced by Jamie Dyer, but amazingly Hibbert got away with a caution.

Seven minutes into the second half, Alton were awarded a penalty of their own when Max Draper handled inside the box, but Dave Thurman dived to his left to brilliantly tip the spot kick round the post.

Almost immediately, Cowes escaped again as an Alton forward smashed his shot against the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Another Alton cross then bounced out off of the crossbar and a great block by Andy Watson kept the Cowes goal intact, but Joe Butcher saw his

goal-bound shot blocked as Cowes hit back.

Ashley Brett and Lee Davies both went close to increasing the Yachtsmen’s advantage but with time running out, they survived Alton’s frantic appeals for handball inside the area and then Dave Thurman excelled with brilliant injury time save to clinch the win.

Cowes Sports: D. Thurman, M. McDonough, L. Davies, S. Yelland, A. Watson, M. Draper, A. Brett, G. Bricknell, M. Jones, M. Augustus, J. Butcher.

Substitutes: J. Dyer, C. Thomas, A. Harvey, K. Winchcombe.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Sydenhams Wessex League: Premier Div 13/03/10 Wimborne Town 7 – 1 Cowes Sports An away fixture at League leaders Wimborne was always going...
2. Match report: Cowes Sports 1 v Brockenhurst 1, 31 October 2009 A disputed 92nd minute Brockenhurst penalty sent Cowes to the...
3. Match report: Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Div 16/03/2010 Moneyfields 3 – 3 Cowes Sports Following Saturday’s thrashing at Wimborne, Cowes were on their travels...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Just 45 seconds had elapsed when Tom Dye’s flighted free kick was volleyed past the Moneyfields keeper by Lee DAVIES sending the travelling fans (2) delirious with joy.

The home side soon began to press for an equaliser, but some resolute defending and mainly poor finishing Cowes yet again went into the break leading.

Despite the foggy conditions Cowes continued to frustrate their hosts until the 61st minute when, with the ball having seemingly gone out for a goal kick Max Draper and their forward tangled and Mr Smith (Referee) was quick to give the home side a spot kick and way back into the match, which was duly converted.

Minutes later the Yachtsmen broke quickly from defence and Lee Davies’s goalbound shot was pushed up in the air by the home keeper, it then spun towards the goal only to hit the post before being cleared for a corner.

From the resulting corner Alex HARVEY got the touch that this time sent the ball into the Moneys’ net via the post to restore the lead.

Again the home side pressed and were unlucky to see a powerful header cannon to safety off the crossbar, but with only 6 minutes left the
inevitable happened as a corner from the right was headed home at the far post to once again level the scores.

Three minutes from time Andrew Watson was pushed in the back just inside his own penalty area, as he fell the ball struck his arm, and, keeping with the unlucky breaks for Cowes throughout the season, the Assistant Referee flagged for a second penalty to the home side, which once again was netted and the Pompey side looked to have nicked the three points right at the death yet again.

However Cowes had other ideas as one last break in the third minute of stoppage time saw substitute Craig THOMAS keep his nerve to roll the ball past the keeper into the net and earn Cowes a vital point that they feel should have been three.

Team: C. Norris, T. Dye, A. Watson, M. McDonough, H. Dye, A. Brett, M.Draper, G. Bricknell capt, A. Harvey, M. Jones, L. Davies,

Subs; J.
Butcher, C. Thomas, M. Barnett.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Laverstock & Ford 3, 12/09/2009 Cowes slumped to another home defeat on Saturday after the...
2. Match report: Sydenhams Wessex League: Premier Div 13/03/10 Wimborne Town 7 – 1 Cowes Sports An away fixture at League leaders Wimborne was always going...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 1 v 2 Moneyfields, 06/03/2010 Match report: Cowes Sports 1 v 2 Moneyfields, 06/03/2010 Sydenhams...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Those fears increased as it took the home side just three minutes to takethe lead when a quick free kick from the Cowes right found Steve WITCHER who planted a volley past keeper Dave Thurman.

However the Yachstmen stunned the 238 home crowd into silence in the sventh minute when Michael JONES flicked an Andrew Watson throw into the left corner of the home goal.

Cowes then came close to taking the lead(14) as Max Draper sent Joe Butcher through on goal, but ‘keeper Nick Hutchings spared Wimborne’s blushes by tipping the shot over the bar.

Two minutes later normal service was resumed when Lee CHUDY chipped Wimbornes second despite a desperate attempt by Tom Dye to deny him. At this point Cowes were still in the game, but that all changed eight minutes before the break when TWICE Cowes players were fouled, most noteably Ashley

Brett who was clearly pushed in the box before Steve GILBERT tapped in their third. Minutes later Dave Thurman produced a stunning save only for the rebound to fall to Gareth BARNES to nod in number four from five yards out.

A fifth goal cmae in the 56th min when Lee CHUDY used his strength before firing past the helpless Dave Thurman, then six(61) as Gareth BARNES tapped home from two yards. Cowes then briefly threatened as Alex Harvey saw his shot blocked by the keeper, Harry Dyes header hit them top of the net and

Joe Butchers effort was pushed past the post for a corner by Hutchings.

Wimborne then capitalised on a defensive mistake (71) when substitute Tom CLARKE added number seven.

Team: D. Thurman, T. Dye, A. Watson, A. Brett, H. Dye, M, Draper, J.Butcher, G. Bricknell capt, A. Harvey, M. Jones, M. Barnett, Subs; M.

McDonough

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Alresford Town 3, 22/08/2009 Cowes’ hopes of a first home League win, were dashed...
2. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Totton & Eling 6 Sydenhams Wessex Premier League, 22/8/09 Cowes looked to be feeling the effects of two games...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 0 v 4 Wimborne Town, 26 September 2009 The Cowes youngsters were well beaten by a strong and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division

Another very late goal condemned the Yachtsmen to another home defeat and severely dented their hopes of avoiding the drop.

The Cowes defence looked nervous early on and they were fortunate to avoid behind on several occasions. They made the most of their luck however and just a minute before the break Max Draper gained possession on the edge of the box and lashed in an unstoppable volley to give the home side the lead.

It could have even been two, but Lee Davies just failed to convert Tom Dye’s long ball and then went close from the ensuing corner.

Twelve minutes into the second half Moneyfields equalised. Chris Norris could only parry a free-kick and Jake Morgan nipped in to score from the rebound.

Chris Norris was forced into a magnificent save as the visitors pressed and with just two minutes left the almost inevitable deciding goal robbed Cowes of another vital point. A corner from the left eluded the home defence and

Jake Slater was on hand to stab in the winner.

This latest defeat and Alton Town’s victory at New Milton left Cowes four points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Cowes Sports: C. Norris, T. Dye, A. Watson, A. Brett, M. McDonough, K.Foster, M. Draper, G. Bricknell, J. Dyer, M. Augustus, L. Davies.

Substitutes: J. Butcher, C. Thomas, M. Barnett, M. Jones, D. Thurman.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 3 v 4 Winchester City, 21 November 2009 The Yachtsmen flattered to deceive again at Westwood on Saturday,...
2. Match report: Winchester City 1 – 1 Cowes Sports, 29/08/2009 The late withdrawal of Alex Harvey, due to illness, gave...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Alresford Town 3, 22/08/2009 Cowes’ hopes of a first home League win, were dashed...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Cowes Sports 2 v 1 West Wight. After extra-time.

Cowes finally won their first home game since mid-September and booked their place in the Semi-finals of the IW Gold Cup, at the expense of a battling West Wight side.

Play was fairly even for the first half-hour, but then West Wight’s Chris Griffith was put through and calmly shot past the advancing Chris Norris to put the visitors ahead.

Cowes hit back and should have equalised, but Mark Augustus’ first touch let him down in front of goal.

Both sides then went close from long-range, Chris Bridges firing just over and West Wight’s Paul Brenchley having to tip Tom Dye’s blaster around the post, but the visitors kept their lead at the break.

Cowes eventually equalised after sixty-eight minutes. Jamie Dyer planted a corner into the box and Craig Thommas rose to head firmly into the net.

With time running out, the visitors were reduced to ten men, Mark Holmes seeing red for violent conduct after a tussle with Andy Watson.

Just three minutes into extra-time, Cowes won it and it was Craig Thomas again, knocking the ball in from close range after a rare mistake from Paul Brenchley, who was unable to hold on to a shot in front of goal.

West Wight made frantic efforts to force penalties, but, for once, rhe Cowes defence stood firm.

Cowes Sports: C. Norris, T. Dye, A. Watson, A. Brett, M. McDonough, M. Draper, G. Bricknell, J. Dyer, M. Augustus, C. Thomas.

Substitutes: K. Foster, S. Yelland, J. Butcher, M. Jones, M. Randall.

Related posts:

1. Fixture: Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup 2010 Quarter Final: Cowes Sports v West Wight Tues 2 March 2010 Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup 2010 Quarter Final: Cowes...
2. Results: Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup 2010 Quarter Final: Cowes Sports v West Wight 02/03/2010 Results: Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup 2010 Quarter Final,...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 3 v 4 Winchester City, 21 November 2009 The Yachtsmen flattered to deceive again at Westwood on Saturday,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

After fifteen minutes Sam Yelland lost possession and Ben Osborne ran through to double the Christchurch lead.

Cowes hit back on the half hour, Mark Augustus scoring from close range after Craig Thomas, on for the injured Brad Gamble, had headed Max Draper’s cross against the post.

Just before the break Cowes equalised. Max Draper sent over a corner and Craig Thomas headed home.

Within five minutes of the restart the Yachtsmen completed the comeback with a third goal. Craig Thomas was bundled over inside the box and though Mark Augustus saw his spot kick saved, he followed up to hammer home after the resulting goalmouth scramble.

Cowes never look more vulnerable than when they have a lead and so it proved again. Tom Dye conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Mark Smith’s shot cleared the defensive wall and Chris Norris’s despairing dive for the equaliser.

With just two minutes left, the Cowes supporters’ fears were realised as Christchurch snatched all of the points when, from a right wing corner, Ben Osborne stole in to score the decisive goal.

This latest defeat leaves Cowes back at the bottom of the table after Alton Town’s 2-0 win over Blackfield & Langley.

Cowes Sports: C. Norris, T. Dye, A. Watson, H. Dye, S. Yelland, B. Gamble, M. Draper, K. Foster, J. Dyer, M. Augustus, M. Katutondua.

Substitutes: A. Brett, C. Thomas, M. Frost, J. Butcher, D. Thurman.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Laverstock & Ford 3, 12/09/2009 Cowes slumped to another home defeat on Saturday after the...
2. Match report: Cowes Sports 3 v 4 Winchester City, 21 November 2009 The Yachtsmen flattered to deceive again at Westwood on Saturday,...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 0 v ASSC Hamble 3, 8 September 2009 After a promising first half, Cowes fell away to suffer...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Cowes pressed for an early breakthrough, Harry Dye and Joe Butcher both going close on two occasions.

The home side also created a couple of decent chances, Chris Norris having to be alert to push away a free-kick down low to his right, but on the half-hour he was helpless as the ex Cowes midfielder, Paul White headed home a cross from the left wing.

Cowes were then lucky to escape a frantic goal-mouth scramble without further punishment but right on half-time, Joe Butcher threaded a superb through-ball to Lee Davies, who sprinted clear to equalise as the keeper came out to intercept.

Cowes had to replace the struggling Martin McDonough with new signing, Dennis Jack at half-time and for a while New Milton dominated proceedings, the Cowes goal living a charmed life but Lee Davies almost snatched it for the visitors, going close with a header.

In the dying seconds New Milton were reduced to ten men, Paul White receiving a second yellow card for persistent dissent.

The result leaves four Clubs, Cowes Sports, New Milton Town, Alton Town and Brading Town locked together at the bottom on fourteen points.

Related posts:

1. Match report: New Milton Town 4 v Cowes Sports 1, 15 August 2009 The Yachtsmen slipped out of the FA Cup at New...
2. Match report: Wessex Premier League. Brading Town 1 v 2 Cowes Sports. 26/12/2009 The Yachtsmen turned in their best performance of the season...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 0 v 4 Wimborne Town, 26 September 2009 The Cowes youngsters were well beaten by a strong and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The match was in doubt all day after heavy overnight rain, but when it did get underway, Cowes were the quicker out of the blocks.

After nine minutes, Lee Davies broke down the left and his cross was deflected over the line by a Brading Defender, to open the scoring.

Another nine minutes later and it was Lee Davies again crossing from the left to Mark Augustus, whose close range effort left Joe McCormack flat-footed and unable to prevent the second goal for the visitors.

On twenty-seven minutes, Cowes ‘old boys’ Ollie Fleming and Ollie Buckett combined to reduce the arrears, the latter firing home from ten yards.

Play swung from end to end throughout the second half, but McCormack was the busier of the two keepers, superbly saving a Gareth Bricknell free-kick and then making a point blank save from Lee Davies.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Alresford Town 3, 22/08/2009 Cowes’ hopes of a first home League win, were dashed...
2. Match report: Cowes Sports 3 v 4 Winchester City, 21 November 2009 The Yachtsmen flattered to deceive again at Westwood on Saturday,...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Totton & Eling 6 Sydenhams Wessex Premier League, 22/8/09 Cowes looked to be feeling the effects of two games...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Cowes took the lead after just three minutes when Jamie Dyer picked the ball up on the edge of the box and rifled it into the far corner for a dream start.

On the half-hour Fareham almost equalised when a deft back-heel set up Graham Lindsey who fired just wide.

The Cowes defence resisted all Fareham could throw at them and an unlikely victory was on the cards, but the visitors were getting increasingly frustrated and several of the players are booked for dissent which led to their Manager being sent to the stand for verbal abuse towards the officials.

Craig Thomas had a chance to seal the victory, but shot wide and then Fareham’s Gavin Jones equalized from outside the box.

With just five minutes left, the Westwood jinx struck again as Graham Lindsey tapped home at the near post to break Cowes hearts.

There was still time for Max Draper to blaze over from ten yards and the game was lost.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 0 v 4 Wimborne Town, 26 September 2009 The Cowes youngsters were well beaten by a strong and...
2. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Alresford Town 3, 22/08/2009 Cowes’ hopes of a first home League win, were dashed...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 3 v 4 Winchester City, 21 November 2009 The Yachtsmen flattered to deceive again at Westwood on Saturday,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

back with a second half recovery.

Cowes had the ball in the net early on, but Max Draper had strayed

off-side, then, when put through by Craig Thomas he was unable to control

the ball in a decent position.

On seventeen minutes, the Yachtsmen took a deserved lead. A defender was

booked for a crude foul on Mark Augustus and when Joe Collins’ free-kick

came back off of the crossbar, he was first to react and headed home.

In first half injury time the referee, Mr. Senavirathna, handed Laverstock

the equaliser, harshly penalising Joe Collins for handball. Elliott Wykes

stepped up to convert the penalty.

The opening exchanges after the break were fairly even, but twice the

referee denied Cowes’ penalty claims for handballs that looked far more

obvious than the one in the first half.

Mr. Senavirathna kept the crowd and both sets of players amused with some

eccentric decisions, but it was the visitors who were laughing on seventy

minutes, when from a corner, Kyle Tryhorn rose at the far post to head his

side in front, then almost immediately, Adam Heath cut in from the right

and fired a third goal past Chris Norris’s despairing dive.

Virtually from the kick-off, Craig Thomas had a great chance, one-on-one

with the keeper, who tipped tipped his effort round the post, but from the

corner, Cowes cut the deficit again, substitute Paul Kemp marking his debut

by bundling the ball home.

With time running out, Cowes searched frantically for an equaliser, but

Kemp again and Joe Butcher, both shot agonisingly wide.

Cowes Sports: C. Norris, S. Yelland, A. Watson, L. Davies, M. McDonough, M.

Augustus, M. Draper, H. Dye, J. Collins, C. Thomas, J. Butcher.

Substitues: C. Allen, P. Kemp, T. Dye, M. Young.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Cowes Sports 1 v Brockenhurst 1, 31 October 2009 A disputed 92nd minute Brockenhurst penalty sent Cowes to the...
2. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 Almondsbury Town 3, 19/09/2009 Almondsbury Town remain unbeaten this season following a dramatic injury...
3. Match report: Cowes Sports 2 v Alresford Town 3, 22/08/2009 Cowes’ hopes of a first home League win, were dashed...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.