Match report: 11 November 2007
Hampshire County Youth Sunday Cup

Cowes Sports FC U18s: 4

Hiltingbury FC U18s: 1

Cowes Sports U18's progressed to the last 16 of the Hampshire County Sunday Cup with an out standing performance at the IoW Community Club against previously undefeated City of Southampton League side AFC Hiltingbury who, before this game had only conceded two goals in all competitions.

Prior to kick off both teams gathered around the centre circle to observe a minute's silence in memory of those who had lost their lives in conflict.

A fairly even opening to the match as both teams tried to get the upper hand.

It was Cowes' youngsters who drew first blood in the 19th minute when Tom Dunford's flighted free kick into the visitors area was not cleared and MAX DRAPER pounced to head in from close range much to the disgust of the Hiltingbury management team.

In response the Southampton side tried to push forward but the Cowes backline was superbly marshalled by Martin McDonough and Sam Yelland and with keeper Tony Wakeford commanding his area well, Hiltingbury became increasingly frustrated.

The young Yachtsman came close to doubling their lead when a set-piece routine nearly worked as Joe Butcher's corner was missed by all at the near post and somehow the visiting keeper managed to keep the ball out of the goal with a good reaction save, but the home side were now full of confidence and soon after did double their lead when another Tom Dunford free kickin the 37th minute saw their keeper parry the ball away from goal, but only as far as full back CONALL JENNINGS who blasted it back past the helpless keeper.

In the 40th minute came the turning point of the match when a Hiltingbury free kick from the Cowes left found the head of a forward and his powerful attempt at goal saw keeper Tony Wakeford pull off a world class save to push the ball onto the crossbar before it was cleared to safety.

To add to the visitors frustrations they conceded a third goal a minute before half time when another corner routine worked well for Cowes as Joe Butcher's corner to the far post was forced back into the centre of goal and centre half SAM YELLAND poked the ball home.

Shell shocked by the happenings of the first half and no doubt some strong words from their manager Hiltingbury came out for the second half determined to restore some lost pride, whilst Cowes had been warned not to think the game was over, quoting what had happened to the Reserves the previous day whem they had nearly thrown away a 3-0 half time lead.

As expected Hiltingbury threw everything at the Cowes defence but still they held firm, but still the Islanders looked capable of adding to their lead all beit on the break.

Pressure eventually told as, in the 70th minute, a corner from the Cowes left was not properly cleared and a shot from the edge of the area crept into the left corner of the home goal to install a bit of belief in the visitors that they could still get a result in the remainig twenty minutes.

Still though every single player in a blue and white shirt worked hard to deny the mainlanders any real clear efforts at goal before finally putting the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute when yet another Tom Dunford free kick saw Donald Gordan get a flick on at the near post and JOE MURRAY shinned the ball in from about five yards to finally book Cowes a place in the last sixteen of the competition.

A truly fitting performance from all on Rememberance Sunday.  

Team: A.Wakeford, C.Jennings, J.Butcher, N.Riddett, M.McDonough, S.Yelland, O.Woodburn, T.Dunford (capt), D.Gordon, J.Murray, M.Draper, Subs; C.Crabb, D.Poingdestre, B.Cox(unused)

Match report: Glynn Skinner