Match Report – Horndean v COWES SPORTS 11-01-20

Saturday January 11th  SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE (WESSEX) Premier Division

HORNDEAN 3(2)  COWES SPORTS 2(1)

played at Five Heads Park     Attendance – 44

Referee:- CALLUM WALLER Assistants: Richard Lines + Jason Smith

LATE MISSED PENALTY COSTS COWES A POINT

Cowes Sports made their way east to Five Heads Park, home of Horndean who sit comfortably in the top ten and had triumphed at Westwood 6 – 1 earlier in the season although in recent weeks their form had dipped slightly.

Manager Max Draper made three changes to the starting line up from the match against Portchester, Dominic Sexton returned at left back whilst Tom Dye and Michael McEnery stepped up from the bench. Scott McFarlane and Conor White remained on the Island for a run out in the Reserves, George Carter-Knight dropped to the bench and Morgan Perrin was unavailable,

Team:-

Edward Hatt, Mitchell Ricketts, Dominic Sexton, Aidan Bryan, Ashley Brett (c), Tom Dye, Ewan Cranwell, Finley Phillips, Jared Wetherick, James Wykes, Michael McEnery

Subs:- Ji Nash, George Carter-Knight, Joseph White.

The Yachtsmen started the match brightly and nearly took the lead in the third minute when a Fin Phillips free kick from wide on the right was fumbled by home keeper Lloyd Thomas, the ball trickled towards the home goal but nobody from Cowes was on hand to score and all the visitors got was a corner. Three minutes later and the home side took the lead when a long clearance down our left saw stopper Ed Hatt start to come to collect, but he changed his mind, their forward BOBBY SCOTT got to the ball and coolly chipped the ball over the stranded Cowes keeper into the empty net. Cowes responded well and on 12 minutes a great passing move from the Yachtsmen ended with Michael McEnery shooting at the home keeper. Quarter of an hour in and another inswinging Fin Phillips free kick from wide on the right just evaded the head of Jared Wetherick. The Islanders continued to press forward and were rewarded on 17 minutes when more excellent passing was this time finished off when MICHAEL MCENERY slotted the ball past Lloyd Thomas for the equaliser. Fin Phillips was in outstanding form and on 35 minutes created another opportunity but the home keeper done just enough to put Michael McEnery off and the ball ran safely out for a goal kick. Fin was then shown a yellow card which no one in the ground knew why? Minutes later and the home side regained the lead when MARK SMITH scored. Cowes again responded well and James Wykes shot just wide of target before another Fin Phillips free kick was headed inches wide of goal by Ashley Brett. Despite being well in the game two errors had been punished by the home side as they led 2 – 1 at half time.

Cowes again started the half brightly. James Wykes was shown a yellow card in the 58th minute. Then, in the 62nd minute a Fin Phillips effort was only parried by home No. 1 and JAMES WYKES smashed the loos ball into the net for a second equaliser. However the Yachtsmen’s joy was short lived as within three minutes BOBBY SCOTT had once again put the home side into the lead. A blow for Cowes as Ewan Cranwell limped off injured with Ji Nash replacing him. George Carter-Knight then came on for the tiring Tom Dye. Fifteen minutes from time and Cowes were awarded a penalty, with regular taker off, skipper Ashley Brett stepped up but saw his spot kick saved as the chance for a third equaliser was squandered. One last change as Joe White came on for Dom Sexton. However the home side held on to claim the three points and leave the Yachtsmen second from bottom with Amesbury closing in having won consecutive games and are now only three points behind with a game in hand.