OSBORNE COBURG 0 – 3 COWES SPORTS RESERVES
played at IoW Community Club 12-01-19
Attendance – 20ish
Following the previous Saturday’s excellent draw away at Northwood St Johns, Darren Arnold again took his troops to the IoW Community Club, this time to play bottom of the table Osborne Coburg.
With Gareth Bricknell away on a school trip four changes were made top the side, Scott McFarlane and Aedan Coode dropped down from the 1st XI whilst Zach Fever-Norton and recent signing from Coburg Corbin Ricketts came into the starting line up, James Wright, Paul Gould and Dan Pearson dropping to the bench to join another new signing, Mitch Ricketts.
Cowes Reserves showed their intent from the start as they dominated the game. Aarun Ince was first to test the Coburg stopper with a fierce drive that the keeper pushed over the bar. On 20 minutes some great football starting from centre back Aiden White, ended with Jacob Jarvis pulling the ball back from the bye-line to Aarun Ince who again tested their keeper, this time a little bit of lady luck saw him scramble the away for a corner from which Zach Fever-Norton had the chance to open the scoring but somehow managed to clip the ball over the bar from six yards. Coburg finally fashioned a chance for themselves on 25 minutes but their seven sent the ball wide of Ben Gearings’ goal. Another Cowes corner from the left to beyond the back post was headed back into the six yard box where Zach Fever-Norton had another opportunity to score but the ball bounced and his header flew over the bar again. Just as some were beginning to think “is it going to be one of those days!!”, Cowes finally found the breakthrough their efforts deserved. On 33 minutes a superb through ball by Scott McFarlane found AARUN INCE on the left edge of the Coburg area, he in turn blasted the ball past the left hand of their keeper into the left hand side netting, a quality finish to some quality play. Minutes later Arthur Balchin was heading toward goal when his shirt was pulled by a home defender, although he got a shot away it was not on target so Referee Alistair Taylor brought play back for a Cowes free kick from 22 yards. Aedan Coode saw his shot tipped over the bar by the keeper who was keeping the score down on his own. Another Cowes attack ended with Arthur Balchin mis-kicking in front of goal shortly before the break leaving the Cowes youngsters just one up at half time.
After Dave Draper and myself(Glynn Skinner) had had a half time cup of tea and a hot sausage roll we returned to the game for the second half. Coburg were first to attack and Morgan Perrin watched as his shot clipped off the top of the Cowes crossbar. Fifty nine minutes gone and Cowes doubled their advantage when Scott McFarlane again provided the assist when he found ARTHUR BALCHIN to score from 15 yards. Osborne Coburg then saw a shot fly wide of goal before Darren Arnold made changes, Corbin Ricketts being replaced by James Wright(66 min) before a double substitution on 74 minutes Mitch Ricketts and Dan Pearson coming on in placer of Aiden White and Zach Fever-Norton. Jacob Jarvis then saw his 75th minute cross cum shot scrambled away by their keeper before three other efforts at goal were well blocked by home defenders. Substitute Dan Pearson the crossed from the right for ARTHUR BALCHIN to net his second goal of the game and Cowes’ third. Dan Pearson then saw his shot well saved low down at the keepers near post before Dan fired the rebound over the bar.
A great win which in all honesty could have been double figures but for some poor finishing and some excellent blocks by the Coburg defenders. Special praise for their keeper who had an outstanding game. The game was also well controlled by Referee Ali Taylor. A pleasure too watch. Although Dave Draper made some comments about Cowes’ number 5 saying he was fat and slow, In Max Drapers defence I thought his experience at the back and the way he talked to all around him, and they listened was a big plus for the side.
Referee:- ALISTAIR TAYLOR
Team:-
Ben Gearing, Max Coshell, Jacob Jarvis, Aiden White, Max Draper, Corbin Ricketts, Aedan Coode, Scott McFarlane, Arthur Balchin, Aarun Ince, Zach Fever-Norton
Used Subs:- James Wright(Corbin Ricketts) 66, Mitch Ricketts(Aiden White) 74, Dan Pearson(Zach Fever-Norton) 74
Unused Sub:- Paul Gould