Tuesday September 14th FA YOUTH CUP – 1st Qualifying Round
COWES SPORTS U18 0 (0) v 6 (2) WINCHESTER CITY U18
played at Westwood Park Kick Off – 19:30 Attendance – 54
Referee:- LIAM WHITE Assistants – Alistair Taylor + Ian Smith
Team:- COWES SPORTS – Owen DENNESS, Teddy MUMFORD, Daniel JOHNSON, Mitchell COX, Rowenn CHURCHILL (c), Billy BACKSHALL (61), Lorry STANTON-ALLEN (78), Fred SALTER (63), Cory SANDERSON, Finley KALAKAR, Finley LLOYD
Subs – William FOULSHAM, Harry SYMES (61), Josh ANNETT, Edward HUMPHRIES (78), Szymon SADEL (63), Joshua WHITE
Cowes Sports U18’s reward for their excellent performance and victory at Lymington Town on September 1st was to face Winchester City U18’s at Westwood Park. A tough game was expected by the home side.
Three changes to the side beaten a couple of days earlier by Moneyfields saw Finley Lloyd, Fred Salter and Lorry Stanton-Allen come into the starting line up with Will Foulsham, Harry Symes and Szymon Sadel dropping to the bench to join Jos Annett, Ed Humphries and sub keeper Joshua White. Unfortunately still missing from the side were Thomas Ashley, Jamie Trowbridge and Mark Robertson through injury and illness. A good attendance of 54 paying parents, friends and Cowes Officials was incentive for the lads to showcase their abilities.
An early ball over the top of the visiting defence wide on the left was chased down by Cory Sanderson but City keeper Konrad Szyssko was out of his box quickly to send the ball out for a throw though there was a call for handball against the stopper by some Cowes players, only a throw was given. Cowes had made a decent start but some good defending by the visitors denied Finley Lloyd the chance of a shot at goal on the quarter hour mark. Having started so positively, the Islanders were hit in the 25th minute when right back Teddy Mumford tried a back-pass to Owen Denness but REGGIE HODAN nipped in to score. A Finley Kalakar low shot from 25 yards a couple of minutes later had their keeper diving to his left to save. In the 30th minute REGGIE HODAN doubled the visitors lead with a classy finish, clipping the ball over Owen Denness. Four minutes later the ball was given away very cheaply but Harry Roberts sent his shot wide of goal. Shortly before half time Lorry Stanton-Allen conceded a foul and was harshly booked by Referee Liam White. Winchester had shown what a good side they are and the problems they can cause to opponents. H-t 0 – 2
The second half was only four minutes old when Winchester added a third goal as a ball down their left saw LEX VAUGHAN cut inside before curling the ball into the left side of the goal, another excellent finish. Harry Roberts sent a 52nd minute shot wide of goal and was replaced by Josh Bowler a minute later. Any thoughts of a Cowes comeback were finished on 57 minutes as a free kick from the Cowes right from midway in the half saw Owen Denness come out to collect only for REGGIE HODAN to beat him to the ball to head into the unguarded net. Billy Backshall and Fred Salter were replaced by Harry Symes and Szymon Sadel for the hosts. A powerful close range effort was superbly blocked by Owen Denness. Two changes by Winchester saw Josh Bowler and Reece Kempton come off and Harvey Chogogudza and Joe Speroni come on before Ed Humphries replaced hard working Lorry Stanton-Allen. A couple of efforts from Cowes as they never gave up battling saw Finley Kalakar hit the side netting from a tight angle before Cory Sanderson’s shot from distance forced the visiting keeper to push the ball away. Two late injury time goals from REGGIE HODAN (91 min) and JOSH BOWLER (93) gave the visitors a convincing win to send them into the next round.
Winchester City showed great quality all over the pitch and showed the young Yachtsmen what they have to do to get to a similar standard. A very entertaining game enjoyed by the crowd. The Cowes lads worked very hard and showed at times they have plenty of potential. Cowes would like to wish Winchester City all the best in the next round and hope to see them have a good run in the competition. The lads and Management would also like to thank Cowes Sports for the opportunity to experience this competition and for their support shown.