Following the shock resignation of Manager Steve Hunt, Ian Potts was placed in temporary charge of Cowes Sports FC. His first outing saw him take his side to the outskirts of Portsmouth to take on a strong Baffins team.
Jimmy Wykes was missing through suspension whilst Ryan Gardner was left to play for the reserves.
As expected the home side were the better side in the first twenty minutes, but chances at goal were at a premium. They did however take the lead on 25 minutes when Cowes allowed the home side too much time an space and their forward netted the opening goal. In response to going behind Cowes pushed forward and just two minutes later they were level when a shot from Jez Conway was blocked, the rebound found John McKie out wide who sent the ball into the area where a home defender in trying too clear the danger sent the ball into his OWN GOAL. The Islanders joy was also short lived as before Dave Draper could tweet the details of the equalising goal, the home side had retaken the lead.
Ewan Cranwell was shown a yellow card for a foul and from the resulting free kick Baffins increased their advantage as Cowes were caught ball watching and failed to pick up the home player who sneaked into the back post to net their third goal as Baffins went in at half time with a comfortable 3 – 1 lead.
Early in the second half Connor Furmidge replaced Jared Cousins before Gareth Bricknell became the second Yachtsmen to find his way into the Referee’s notebook. Skipper John McKie the tried his luck but his effort hit the outside of the post before being cleared. Callum Chase was then adjudged to have fouled their player in the area and a penalty was awarded, but the home player sent his spot kick well over the Cowes crossbar. Chase was then replaced by Dan Verstraeten. In the final minutes of the game Baffins added a fourth goal from a free kick as Cowes’ misery was complete.
REFEREE :- SEAN PHILLIPS Assistants- Jacob Wright + Kieran Forester
TEAM:-
Edward Hatt, Conor White, Jared Cousins, Jez Conway, Callum Chase, Dominic Sexton, John McKie (c), Ewan Cranwell, Finley Phillips, Gareth Bricknell, Ji Nash
Used Subs:- Connor Furmidge(Jared Cousins) + Daniel Verstraeten(Callum Chase)
Unused Subs – Tom Dye, Jack Broomfield, Wilf Armfield g/k