Match report: Cowes Sports v Portland United

Attendance – 142

Following the disappointment of the previous weeks defeat in the F A Vase Cowes Sports were back in league action as they welcomed Portland United too Westwood Park.

Prior to the start of the match a minutes silence was held in memory of JOHN WARD, Hampshire FA Representative at the FA and former Chairman, IAN DRINKWATER, a previous Chairman of Downton FC and too former Cowes striker ARNOLD ‘ARNIE’ OLIVE all of whom had passed away in the past two weeks.

It was also announced that VICTOR SANDERS had been appointed as the new Manager of Cowes Sports FC. We wish Vic all the best in his new job.

Last week saw Cowes make a fast start to the game, however this was a totally different story as Portland were the side too come out of the blocks. A long clearance from defence was flicked on near the half way line with their left winger looking offside making a move towards the ball, however no flag was raised and forward JAMIE SYMES lobbed the ball over Ed Hatt into the empty Cowes net to put his side one up. Worse was to follow for the Yachtsmen as they conceded a second in the eighth minute when a cross from the left was met with a free header from eight yards by ALEX HALLORAN, Ed Hatt maybe could have done a bit better. Cowes were nearly gifted a way back into the game on the quarter of an hour when John McKie nipped in to beat the keeper to a headed backpass but unfortunately for the home side could not convert the difficult chance. On the half hour mark Portlands Alex Halloran fell awkwardly and play was held up for five or so minutes as he had treatment before being carried off on a stretcher and an Ambulance was called. Ed Bastik replaced the injured player when play restarted. On the stroke of half time John McKie was bundled over on the edge of their box, Fin Phillips took the free kick and it appeared to strike the arm of a defender in the area, but unlike last week no penalty was given.

Nine minutes into the second half and the game was settled when Cowes lost the ball in the right back position their player crossed into the middle where substitute ED BASTIK headed home from close range for a third Portland goal and complete the Cowes misery. The only real action for the remainder of the game were the substitutions made by both teams, Connor Furmidge replacing Ji Nash in the 59th minute, Jack Broomfield came on for John McKie 64 min before Conor White came on in place of Fin Phillips 82 min for Cowes Sports whilst Jamie Symes and Darren Watts were replaced by Alex Godfrey and Derek Wall respectively.

Referee:- ROBERT WALCZAC Assistants – Declan Skehan + Daniel Yeo

TEAM:-
Edward Hatt, Jez Conway, Dominic Sexton, Callum Chase, Aidan Bryan, Ewan Cranwell, Finley Phillips, Jared Cousins, Ji Nash, John McKie (c), James Wykes

Used Subs:- Connor Furmidge (Ji Nash) 59, Jack Broomfield (John McKie) 64, Conor White (Fin Phillips) 82

Unused Subs; Tom Dye, Dave Thurman g/k