Saturday November 16th – SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE (WESSEX) Premier Division
COWES SPORTS 1(0) BOURNEMOUTH 4(1)
played at Westwood Park Attendance – 136
Referee – RADO ILIEV Assistants: Marcus Ward + Matthew Coreless
SPORTS SUFFER BASEMENT BATTLE DEFEAT AT WESTWOOD
The Yachtsmen faced their biggest game of the season so far as they entertained Bournemouth in a six pointer with the visitors one place and one point above Cowes in the table although the Island side have two games in hand.
Manager Steve Rutter was forced into making changes once again as keeper Ed Hatt was not available, Jacob Jarvis pulling up injured in the warm up. Sixteen year old Reserve team keeper, Fraser Law, came in for his 1st XI debut, Aiden White at left back, Ewan Cranwell and Finley Phillips also returned to the starting line up. Darren Williams, Dominic Sexton and Scott McFarlane joined Joe White and Ji Nash on the bench.
Team:-
Fraser Law, Conor White, Aiden White, Ewan Cranwell, Ashley Brett (c), Morgan Perrin, Finley Phillips, Aidan Bryan, James Wykes, Michael McEnery, Ben Snow,
Subs: Darren Williams, Joe White, Dominic Sexton, Scott McFarlane, Ji Nash
The Yachtsmen could not have got off to a worse start to this vital games as they fell behind in the 2nd minute when a ball through the middle saw DIOP EVANS latch onto, round Fraser Law and roll the ball into the empty net. Neither side could create any decent chances for the next 25 minutes or so until the 28th minute when a long Cowes clearance found James Wykes who made his way into the box where Sam Evans brought the Cowes forward down and the Referee immediately pointed to the spot, Bournemouth complained and after consulting his young Assistant he changed his mind and gave a uncontested drop ball to Bournemouth!!! On the half hour a through ball from Morgan Perrin sent James Wykes bearing down on goal but another one on one chance was wasted as the Cowes forward beat the keeper but also the left upright.
Having suffered a shoulder injury just before the break Morgan Perrin was replaced at half time by Scott McFarlane. Two minutes into the second half and Cowes went close to equalising when Ashley Brett’s shot from 22 yards flew just over the bar. Conor White then broke down the right, sent in a cross towards the near post where ex Cowes player Patrick Wilson got to the ball just ahead of James Wykes to clear. Early pressure from the home side continued when a Ewan Cranwell free kick was headed out to Conor White who fired wide. The in the 58th minute the sucker punch, Edgar Zanin broke down the Cowes left before seeing his cross diverted into the net by defender AIDAN BRYAN for an unfortunate own goal that doubled the visitors lead. Two minutes later a Conor White long throw into the box was headed on and hit a defender on the arm, a penalty was awarded and the decision stood this time. EWAN CRANWELL stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to pull a goal back. Ji Nash replaced Aiden White just past the hour mark. The Island side should have levelled on 67 minutes when James Wykes run down the right ended with him sending the ball into the six yard box but both Ji Nash and Michael McEnery failed to get the touch to score. After another impressive performance Ben Snow came off and Darren Williams came on for the final twenty minutes. Another great run from James Wykes again created the chance to level but once again no Cowes player could get the touch needed to score. Cowes were made to pay for those missed chances in the 79th minute when EDGAR ZANIN cut in from their left before his shot was deflected past the helpless Fraser Law. In injury time a short back pass saw Jack Voisey close down Fraser Law whose clearance hit the Bournemouth attacker who retrieved the ball before squaring it to MATT NICHOLLS who rolled the ball into an empty net to complete the scoring and open up a four point gap between the two sides in 17th and 18th place.
The Island side have some important games coming up in the next few weeks, Lymington at home before trips to Amesbury Town and Fleet Town before they entertain Solent University.