Saturday April 17th Harwoods Isle of Wight League Division 1
COWES SPORTS RESERVES 2 v 3 SHANKLIN
Mark Randall’s side continued their tough run of games with a home game against Shanklin. With keeper Ed Hatt ruled out with injury Morgan Perrin went in goal for this game.
The visitors started well and George Carter Knight sent a shot over the bar just two minutes in. Another shot from distance in the 6th minute from Wayne Newnham hit JI NASH on the way that deflected the ball away from Morgan Perrin and into the net for an early lead for Shanklin. The Yachtsmen responded well with Scott McFarlane firing wide on 17 minutes. The home side were level though just a minute later when skipper GARETH BRICKNELL fired home from an angle across the keeper. A close game remained level at the break.
Again just two minutes into the second half, as with the first half, George Carter Knight sent a shot fizzing over the bar for Shanklin. Controvertially Shanklin regained the lead in the 56th minute when JI NASH was flagged offside by Cowes Assistant Referee Roger Gould, Referee Steve Raybould who was ideally positioned to see near the half way line over ruled the decision and waved play on and the Shanklin forward scored a second goal.It must be said that even the Shanklin bench said that the offside should have stood and the “goal” not allowed, Fourteen minutes from time and a quick break away by Shanklin saw PETE WILSON score a third goal added and seemingly the three points made safe. However five minutes from time a great run by SCOTT McFARLANE saw him score a second for the home side and give Shanklin a fright, but they managed to hold on to claim the three points to maintain their challenge at the top of the table , though it was harsh on the home side to lose with such a decision for the second goal.
Team:-
M Perrin, J Ince, J White, A Brett, M Ricketts, B Snow, S McFarlane, G Holmes, G Bricknell c, F Phillips, A Ince Subs; M Coshell, J Richardson, J Mumford
Tuesday April 20th Harwoods Isle of Wight League Division 1
COWES SPORTS RESERVES 3 v 5 BEMBRIDGE
Another home game for the Yachtsmen saw Bembridge visit Westwood Park for this midweek fixture.
A couple of early efforts from Morgan Perrion and Dom Sexton went wide of target before on 10 minutes the visitors took the lead when Cowes gave away possession in midfield and LIAM HARPER took his chance well to lob Fraser Law to score. Dan Pearson flashed a shot across the face of goal in thew 23rd minute before further joy for Bembridge when a lob from the edge of the Cowes box found the back of the Cowes goal. Cowes were being totally outplayed but in the 34th minute a superb through ball from Aarun Ince found right back MAX COSHELL steaming into the area and placing his shot low past Charlie Waterson in the Bembridge goal and give the home side some confidence. Two minutes before half time a cross from the left by DOMINIC SEXTON was spilled into the net by the Bembridge keeper to some how see the sides go in at half time level at 2- 2.
Seven minutes inot the second half and Bembridge were back in front when LIAM HARPER netted his second with a thumping volley. Charlie Watersion then done well to push a Aarun Ince effort away for a corner before a fourth goal was added for the visitors with LIAM HARPER completing his hat trick. Five minutes from time and Bembridge made sure of the points with a fifth goal before CONNOR FURMIDGE scored for Cowes with a nice finish to complete the scoring as the home side suffered a disappointing defeat.
Team:-
F Law, M Coshell, D Sexton, M Perrin, M Ricketts c, B Snow, D Pearson, J Richardson, A Ince, S McFarlane, F Phillips Subs; B Pelosi, J Ince, C Furmidge
Saturday April 24th Harwoods Isle of Wight League Division 1
BRADING TOWN 3 v 4 COWES SPORTS RESERVES
Cowes Reserves travelled to Brading Town for their latest league fixture looking to complete the “double” over the Romans. A strong wind was blowing up the pitch on a sunny day.
An amazing start to the game as a DOMINIC SEXTON cross from close to the half way line bounced in front of Romans keeper Will Hunt and somehow ended up in the back of the goal with just 42 seconds on the clock. Eight minutes in and the Yachtsmen doubled their lead when a Max Coshell cross from the half way line was headed back to his keeper by a defender but somehow the ball ended up in the back of the Brading goal for an OWN GOAL. An amazing start to the game continued as Cowes totally dominated and on 16 minutes nearly added a third goal when a Scott McFarlane pass saw the bounce beat the defender but skipper Gareth Bricknell fire into the side netting. Bricknell then tried his luck with the help of the wind from the halfway line but Will Hunt saved under his crossbar. Just 18 minutes had passed when two became three as Scott McFarlane shot from 40 yards, the ball bounced of the chest of the Brading keeper and GEORGE HOLMES was on hand to net a third goal for Cowes, Further jioy for the Yachtsmen in the 22nd minute when Fin Phillips found BILLY PELOSI on the right of the Brading area, he cut back inside his marker before smashing the ball past Will Hunt for Cowes’ fourth goal of the afternoon. Brading were shellshocked whilst Cowes were in dreamland. Will Hunt then made an excellent one handed save to deny Connor Furmidge adding a fifth goal for Cowes. Skipper Gareth Bricknell was tripped in the area but to the amazement of all in the ground Referee Steve Raybould said no foul and gave a goal kick, another poor decision. Eight minutes before the break Fin Phillips gave possession away mid way in his own half and DAN VALE took full advantage to send a low shot past Ed Hatt to give the home side some hope of a comeback.
Just three minutes into the second half Ed Hatt saved well low down to his left at the expense of a corner from which JORDAN BROWNE side footed home from close range to boost the home side hopes of getting something from the game. In the 57th minute Ashley Brett saw his header parried away by Will Hunt to keep his side in the game. Brading were looking the more likely to score again and did so on 73 minutes when again Fin Phillips lost possession and DAN VALE again took advantage to send a low shot past Ed Hatt from the edge of the area. Cowes were a little fortunate to stay ahead as once again some strange decisions were made though this time in favour of Cowes as two rather clear penalty decisions were turned down by the match referee which did not go down well in the home dugout.The home side pressed hard but struggled to create a decent scoring chance as Cowes Reserves held on to win the game 4 – 3 and complete the double over Brading.
Team:-
E Hatt, M Coshell, D Sexton, M Ricketts, A Brett, S McFarlane, F Phillips, D Peason, G Holmes, G Bricknell c, B Pelosi, Subs; M Perrin, C Furmidge, A Ince