Baffins Milton Rovers v COWES SPORTS 11-09-19

Wednesday September 11th – SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE(WESSEX)

BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 3(1)  COWES SPORTS 1(0)

played at THE PMC STADIUM  Attendance – 70

Referee:- JACOB WRIGHT  Assistants – Toby Cartledge + Gary Ferris

COWES UNLUCKY IN BAFFINS DEFEAT

The Yachtsmen made the short trip over to Portsmouth to The PMC Stadium, home of Baffins Milton Rovers for this re-arranged mid week fixture.

Manager Steve Rutter was without Ewan Cranwell, Morgan Perrin and Callum Chase whilst James Wykes and Scott McFarlane were benched following the home defeat to Christchurch. Michael McEnery returned to lead the line whilst Jez Conway stepped up from the bench to partner skipper Gareth Bricknell and 16 year old Ben Snow in midfield. Ashley Brett and Dominic Sexton were joined by Isaac Cruise and Max Coshell in the back line as Cowes looked to end a dismal record against Baffins, just one point from the four games played since they came into the Premier Division three years ago.

TEAM:-

Edward Hatt, Max Coshell, Dominic Sexton, Ashley Brett, Isaac Cruise, Ben Snow, Jez Conway, Gareth Bricknell (c), Michael McEnery, Finley Phillips, Ji Nash, Subs; James Wykes, Harry Dye, Scott McFarlane, Aedan Coode, Joe McCormack g/k

Within the first minute Cowes broke through when a defence splitting pass by Jez Conway found Michael McEnery in on goal who probably should have had a first time shot, but he tried to get the ball onto his right foot before eventually firing a left foot shot  that was blocked by a defender. In the 9th minute Cowes nearly caused their own downfall when a Baffins corner was swung in from the Cowes right and Isaac Cruise, under challenge, headed the ball back towards his own goal, but home forward Jason Parrish headed over the bar from close range. A couple of minutes later and it was Cowes’ turn to go close when a Jez Conway corner was met by a glancing header from Ashley Brett. Had he got a better contact he would have scored. In the 20th minute the rolls were reversed when a Ash Brett free kick picked out Jez Conway who turned his marker but fired straight at the keeper. Twenty one minutes in and the home side took the lead when Baffins impressive right back picked GEORGE WAY who headed the ball past Ed Hatt into the Cowes net. The Islanders responded with a Michael McEnery effort across the face of the home goal but wide of the left hand upright. Controversy then in the 31st minute when challenging Baffins Callum Dart near the touchline Ben Snow, who was keeping the home playmaker quite up to this point, accidently caught the home player with an elbow. Everyone in the ground was flabbergasted when Referee Jacob Wright showed the Cowes youngster a red card. Even the home players and bench were amazed at the decision. it later transpired that the Assessor had told the Referee to have his red card ready  and this was passed onto two of the Cowes people. This was probably said as the home side had been hit with several reds so far this season!!! The Referee also said to Ben as he brandished the red card ” I know it was accidental but I have got to send you off because its an elbow”. What a joke!!!!!!! Shortly before the break Jason Parrish saw his shot well saved by Ed Hatt as the home side led by the one goal.

Cowes came out for the second half with a bit of fire in their belly, within two minutes of the restart Jez Conway’s long range lob landed on the top of the home goal before the ten men equalised on 53 minutes. A great through ball from Gareth Bricknell sent Ji Nash racing towards goal chased by a defender, as he neared the keeper he squared the ball to MICHAEL MCENERY who fired it into the net. Cowes stopper Ed Hatt then produced two outstanding saves to keep his side level, firstly he pushed a powerful shot away from the goal then as the ball was crossed back to the edge of the Cowes area, Callum Dart thought he had restored the home lead as his shot headed towards the top corner, but Ed tipped the ball over the bar for a corner. James Wykes replaced Ji Nash for Cowes.Callum Dart was becoming more and more influential in the game and set up Jason Parish who headed straight at Ed Hatt. Eventually the home side took advantage of the extra man they had. 68 minutes gone and a strong run down the Cowes left before a low cross to the far post  where ALEX ANDREWS blasted home from inside the six yard box. Scott McFarlane came on for Jez Conway, then another dubious decision in the 73rd minute. A thunderous shot from 30 yards hit Isaac Cruise on the arm which was down by his side in a natural position but the Referee awarded the home side a penalty, then because Dom Sexton asked, How can you give that with the arm down by his side? Dom was sin binned for ten minutes. JASON PARISH coolly slotted the spot kick into the net and seal the win for the home side. ten minutes from time and Cowes broke forward through James Wykes, his initial shot was well parried by their keeper, but the a defender pushed the Cowes forward to the ground so he could not get the rebound, had to be a penalty surely!! No said the Referee, it was shoulder to shoulder. Amazing that as the defender was actually behind the Cowes forward. Harry Dye then replaced Michael McEnery before the final action of the game saw Jason Parish fire the ball over the Cowes goal from 2 yards.

So once again Cowes come away from a match pointless, but the way they played and the commitment they showed, they can all be proud of their performance and had the Assessor not been their I am sure common sense would have prevailed. Maybe they should not speak to the Officials before the game and give them bad advice as this one did!!!