Match Report – League Cup v Horndean 27-08-19

Tuesday August 27th – SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CUP 1st Round

COWES SPORTS 1(1)  HORNDEAN 0(0)

EARLY CONWAY GOAL SEALS LEAGUE CUP WIN

played at Westwood Park  Attendance – 109

Referee:- SEAN PHILLIPS  Assistants; Steve Currie + Andy Jones

Cowes Sports entertained Horndean for this Wessex League Cup 1st round tie with the winners scheduled to meet Newport IW in the second round.

Four changes were made to the home sides staring line up from the weekend’s starting team. Skipper Gareth Bricknell(hols), Aidan Bryan(injured) and Ewan Cranwell(work) were all unavailable whilst Connor Furmidge dropped to the bench. Recent signing Morgan Perrin, Callum Chase, Samuel Kirby and Finley Phillips came into the side. Sixteen year old new signing from Newport IW, Ben Snow was joined on the bench by Connor Furmidge, Luke Phillips and Isaac Cruise.

TEAM:- 

Edward Hatt, Conor White, Dominic Sexton, Morgan Perrin, Callum Chase (c), Scott McFarlane, Jez Conway, Samuel Kirby, Michael McEnery, James Wykes, Finley Phillips, Subs: Connor Furmidge, Luke Phillips, Ben Snow, Isaac Cruise, Joe McCormack g/k

Buoyed by the possibility of a home tie with Newport, the Yachtsmen were looking for a quick start to the game against a Horndean side missing several 1st XI players, but I don’t think anyone in the ground was expecting a goal to be scored within 10 seconds of the kick off. That however was the case as JEZ CONWAY saw the visitors keeper off his line and from the half way line lobbed him to give Cowes the lead. An amazing start that many of the 109 crowd missed. Seven minutes in and left back Dom Sexton surged forward, cut inside before teeing up Sam Kirby who blazed his shot well over the bar. The visitors responded with a long range effort that also flew well over the crossbar. Twenty three minutes in Jez Conway beat their keeper to the ball but his shot across the face of goal but wide of the left hand post. A couple of minutes later and Scott McFarlane rolled the ball to James Wykes but his shot hit the side netting. A Cowes free kick from in front of the stand was headed on to James Wykes, this time he hit the left hand post with the keeper beaten. A blow for the Islanders ten minutes before the break as Jez Conway was forced off with an injury giving sixteen year old new signing, Ben Snow his debut for the club. Shortly before half time Callum Chase saw his header fly inches wide of the Horndean goal as the Yachtsmen went in just the one goal ahead despite dominating the game.

Horndean’s Josh Miroy was substituted five minutes into the second half. James Wykes then saw his shot cannon back off the Horndean crossbar. On the hour mark a disgruntled Horndean striker, Brandon Jewell was replaced by Jack Carson, he promptly left he ground. For the home side Connor Furmidge came on for James Wykes. The visitors were finding it difficult to create any chances although Jay Kane saw his long range shot easily saved by Ed Hatt. Finley Phillips watched as his free kick was fumbled by keeper Taylor Revy, Michael McEnery was unable to take advantage as the ball was cleared. in the 65th minute Connor Furmidge won the ball before seeing his shot blocked, he and Michael McEnery then combined to find Conor White bombing down the right towards the bye line before sending in a teasing cross across the face of the goal, unfortunately nobody was able to get the all important touch to score. In the 75th minute Conor White again caused the Horndean defence problems, this time his cross was fumbled by their keeper who managed to recover to gather the ball at the second attempt. Jay Kane again tested Cowes stopper Ed Hatt from distance but the Cowes man made another comfortable save. Luke Phillips came on for the final ten minutes in place of Michael McEnery. Horndean had the final chance of the game as they caught the Cowes defence napping with a quick short corner before the striker fired across goal but wide of the post.

A very good performance from a young Cowes side although the same problems with killing off the opposition remain. Now to look forward to a mouth watering game in the next round against Newport IW.