Saturday September 21st – HARWOODS IW Division 1
COWES SPORTS RESERVES 7(3) RYDE SAINTS 2(0)
played at Westwood Park Referee – John Hopkinson
RESERVES HIT SEVEN IN COMFORTABLE VICTORY
Due to several unavailability’s in the 1st XI squad Player/Manager Max Draper was missing Aiden White, Max Coshell and Jason Ince for this return fixture against Ryde Saints with the young Yachtsman looking to avenge the 1 – 5 defeat just a couple weeks ago. Into the Reserve team squad came new signing from Newport IW, goalkeeper Fraser Law and another new signing, this time from Vectis Youth, Jamie Barratt whilst Conor White played following his holiday and Mitch Ricketts returned .
Team:-
Fraser Law, Samuel Kirby, Jamie Barratt, Max Draper, Mitchell Ricketts, James Wright (c), Conor White, Luke Phillips, Darren Williams, Arthur Balchin, Aarun Ince Subs; Daniel Pearson, Aedan Coode, Billy Pelosi.
Cowes Sports Reserves started the match with great determination to avenge their earlier defeat at Ryde Saints. First chance of the game fell to veteran Darren Williams just four minutes in when he latched onto a long clearance from defence but sent his volley over the crossbar. In the 6th minute Conor White and Samuel Kirby combined well to set up Arthur Balchin but a strong hand from the visitors keeper pushed the Cowes forwards effort away for a corner from which madness in the Ryde Saints box saw their keeper block one shot, another Cowes effort hit the crossbar before Max Draper’s shot was blocked on the line by a defender with the ball bouncing into the grateful hands of the keeper. The home side were dominating play and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 15th minute. Young 16 year old keeper Fraser Law made a comfortable save, released the ball quickly to Conor White who pushed forward before laying the ball into ARTHUR BALCHIN who passed the ball past the advancing keeper into the goal for a deserved lead to Cowes. Ryde Saints striker was then booked for a naughty lung into James Wright. Twenty minutes on the clock and a magnificent Crossfield ball from Mitch Ricketts found Sam Kirby in acres of space, he made his way into the Ryde Saints box before placing a cross into the path of JAMIE BARRATT who thumped home from eight yards for a debut goal. A third Cowes goal within ten minutes was scored in the 25th minute when Luke Phillips ran at the visitors defence before setting up JAMIE BARRATT who sent a low shot past their keeper at his near post with great technique. Daniel Pearson came on for Arthur Balchin shortly past the half hour. Fraser Law then showed what he could do when quick reactions from the young 16 year old when Ryde Saints attack finished with a flick from their number 6 that was heading for the net. Darren Williams then set up Samuel Kirby but his shot on the stretch was just wide of target. Five minutes before the break Fraser Law tipped a Ryde Saints shot over the bar. Cowes’ Aarun Ince then fed the ball too Luke Phillips who saw his shot parried away by the visitors keeper. The visitors then had two players sin binned in quick succession minutes before the break as Cowes went in three up at the break.
Ryde Saints, despite being down to nine for the start of the second half, had the first shot at goal two minutes after the break before Darren Williams went close for the home side. Looking for his hat trick Jamie Barratt had a shot saved in the 51st minute. On 55 minutes poor Cowes defending led to Ryde Saints pulling a goal back before both sides made several changes, In the 75th minute substitute Daniel Pearson saw his shot well saved low down and the ball was cleared for a corner to stop Aarun Ince netting. In the 84th minute Cowes restored their three goal lead when Arthur Balchin ran at the ‘Saints defence, passed to Aedan Coode who in turn set up DANIEL PEARSON who netted with ease. A minute later Sam Kirby fed AEDAN COODE who turned his marker before slipping the ball past their keeper into the goal for a fifth Cowes goal. That soon became six when AARUN INCE netted after Sam Kirby played him in. Ryde Saints then capitalised on a defensive error to score a second goal. Cowes had the last laugh when ARTHUR BALCHIN picked the ball up mid way into the Ryde Saints half ran at the defence before beating the keeper to score the home sides seventh goal of the afternoon to take all three points and avenge that earlier defeat.
Once again the Reserves showed that they can match any side in the first division and it was a joy to watch this young side blossom. Well done and keep it up lads.