Tuesday September 21st 2021 BSA REGAL HAMPSHIRE SATURDAY SENIOR CUP Rd2
COWES SPORTS 0 (0) v 7 (3) AFC BOURNEMOUTH U21’s
played at Westwood Park Kick Off – 19:00 Attendance – 250
Referee:- DEAN TRELEAVEN Assistants – Liam White + Calum McFarlane 4th – Sean Phillips
Teams:-
COWES SPORTS – Jamie LININGTON, Jimmy MUMFORD, Isaac CRUISE (77), Jez CONWAY, Callum CHASE (c) (85), Morgan PERRIN, Darren WILLIAMS, Ewan CRANWELL (55), Connor FURMIDGE (52), Aedan COODE, James WYKES
Subs – Scott McFARLANE (52), Ji NASH (55), Dominic SEXTON (77), unused – Finley PHILLIPS + Owen DENNESS g/k
AFC BOURNEMOUTH – Cameron PLAIN, Brooklyn GENESINI, Ben GREENWOOD, Jack WADHAM, Jack SEDDON, Brennan CAMP (c), Aaron ROBERTS (71), Luke NIPPARD, Christian SAYDEE, Nathan MORIAH-WELSH, Connor KURRAN-BROWNE
Subs – Tarik GIDAREE (71), unused – Ferdi OKOH, Marcus DAWS, Josh CLARKE g/k
The Yachtsmen’s reward for their first round Hampshire Cup victory over Christchurch was to entertain AFC Bournemouth in the second round. The high flying Championship outfit use their U21’s in this competition and they are the current holders of the trophy having beaten Conference side Eastleigh in the final last season on penalties after the game had finished 2 – 2, so a tough task ahead for Max Draper’s team. This draw meant that Island supporters of AFC Bournemouth as well as Cowes Sports got to see some possible stars of the future with several of the visitors having appeared for the 1st XI already this season as well as Nathan Moriah-Welsh being a Full International for Guyana having made 4 appearances so far.
With Ed Hatt(groin) and Connor White(ligaments) both missing through injury, Jamie Linington and Jimmy Mumford started while Ewan Cranwell came in for Ji Nash who dropped to the bench.
The visitors showed there attacking abilities straight from kick off and were awarded a third minute free kick near the right corner of the Cowes penalty area around 25 yards from goal. Nathan Moriah-Welsh saw his effort deflect off a Cowes player totally wrong footing Jamie Linington who was relieved to see the ball go wide of his left hand post for a corner. From that corner Aaron Roberts shot at goal but brave defending by Callum Chase again saw the home side concede a corner. Left back Ben Greenwood then had a shot pushed away by Jamie Linington who on 11 minutes blocked a Connor Kurran-Browne shot before scrambling back to save on the line as the ball slowly rolled towards the goal. It came as no real surprise in the 16th minute when the visitors took the lead and I do not think that you will see a better strike than the one CHRISTIAN SAYDEE produced from 23 yards to curl the ball from the right edge of the box into the top left hand corner of Jamie Linington’s goal. A pleasure to see such a wonderful strike. Three minutes later Cowes defenders tried to play the ball out of defence but Callum Chase was robbed of the ball and was made to pay as NATHAN MORIAH-WELSH blasted past Jamie Linington for number two. Cowes responded and were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Connor Furmidge tried to lob Cameron Plain in the Bournemouth goal, but the keeper just got a finger tip to the ball to push it over the bar. Resolute defending saw Cowes resist the onslaught from the Bournemouth youngsters until the 38th minute when a neat 1 – 2 between Christian Saydee and NATHAN MORIAH-WELSH saw the latter tuck the ball past the Cowes stopper for a third goal. Again though the home side tried to hit back as Connor Furmidge tried his luck from distance but Cameron Plain saved well. Slight controversy on 41 minutes as James Wykes was played in with only the keeper to beat but he hesitated and appeared to be bundled over just inside the box, but no penalty was awarded as the visitors went into the interval with a three goal lead. H-t 0 – 3
Early in the second half Bournemouth once again showed their class cutting through the Cowes defence before seeing Ben Greenwood fire over the bar from 10 yards when he really should have scored. Scott McFarlane replaced Connor Furmidge before moments later Ewan Cranwell injured his knee and was replaced by Ji Nash. Aaron Roberts then saw his effort saved by Jamie Linington at his near post. On 64 minutes another Bournemouth attack was halted when Aedan Coode tripped Nathan Moriah-Welsh inside the box . The Bournemouth player picked himself up to take the spot kick to complete his hat trick on the night, but Jamie Linington had other ideas and produce a very good save to keep the ball out and an even better one to push Connor Kurran-Browne’s effort away for a corner. Arron Roberts was replaced by Tarik Gidaree for the visitors on 71 minutes. A minute later and Ben Greenwood thought he had made up for his earlier miss when his cross evaded Jamie Linington but cannoned out off the upright. On 74 minutes CHRISTIAN SAYDEE added a fourth goal with a sublime lob over Jamie Linington that went in off the right hand post that left the Cowes keeper speechless at the skill he had just witnessed. The Yachtsmen to their credit never stopped working hard for each other but were again left to watch as NATHAN MORIAH-WELSH did finally complete his hat trick with a tap in in the 76th minute. Dominic Sexton then came on for Isaac Cruise but shortly after skipper Callum Chase pulled up with a groin strain, though he tried to battle on. Seven minutes from time and substitute TARIK GIDAREE volleyed home from 12 yards after pouncing on a loose ball. Not wanting to risk further damage Callum Chase limped off five minutes from time with Morgan Perrin dropping into the back line before a shot from CONNOR KURRAN-BROWNE was deflected into his own goal by Jez Conway to complete the scoring on the night.
A comfortable evening for the Holders but maybe a little harsh on the Cowes lads who never stopped battling and showed great spirit. But what a treat for the crowd with some excellent football shown by both sides and some magnificent goals from the visitors that not team would have been able to prevent.