Match report: Petersfield Town v Cowes Sports

Attendance:- 47

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee – JACOB WRIGHT

Assistants – David Morey + Callum Waller

Another away day for the Yachtsmen as they made their way to the Surefix Home Improvements Stadium home of bottom placed Petersfield Town still in search of a first away victory of the season. Hopes were high, but the weather could not have been much worse. Following recent rain a heavy pitch was getting worse as persistent rain was falling all afternoon, just for a change!

Cowes began the game on the front foot and just two minutes in a corner from the right saw Harry Dye’s diving header go well wide. John McKie then set up Connor Furmidge, but his effort was off target. John McKie was next to try his luck but home stopper saved with his legs then managed to get back as the ball ran towards his goal and with the help of a defender the ball was cleared from danger, A long range effort from Connor Furmidge flew just wide of goal before the same player powered a header over the crossbar from a Gareth Bricknell corner. Recent new signing Jez Conway replaced injured Michael McEnery and was soon in the thick of the action. He won a free kick out on the left from which his half volley struck the top of the home crossbar, then minutes later forced a brilliant one handed save from home keeper Luke Eaton with a well directed header. A few late tackles were being made, Petersfield lucky to keep 11 on the pitch following a tackle on Connor Furmidge near the half way line. John McKie then watched his long range effort hit the outside of the left post post before Jimmy Wykes fired narrowly wide of goal. Another Connor Furmidge strike form 25 yards had Luke Eaton finger tipping the ball over the bar for a corner. Close to the break and the home finally managed a shot from Will Essai that never troubled Ed Hatt in the Cowes goal. Two more chances for the visiting side but both went wide as somehow the score remained 0 – 0 at half time.

H-t 0 – 0

Petersfield were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when Gareth Bricknell was adjudged to have fouled Harry Tremlett following a throw from the right. DANNY THOMPSON stepped up to send Ed Hatt the wrong way and the home fans into raptures netting from 12 yards. Worse was to follow for the Yachtsmen as just minutes later JORDAN GEDDES headed into the roof of the net to double the home sides lead. The worsening pitch conditions began to take their toll and chances were at a premium, barely half chances being created by either side. Harry Dye was yellow carded for a late challenge on the edge of the home box before Harry Tremlett was released on goal late on but a tame effort was easily saved by Ed Hatt. The home side held on for only their third win of the season, two against the Yachtsmen, leaving the Island side still searching for an away win.

TEAMS:-
COWES SPORTS – Ed Hatt, James Wykes, Max Draper, Calum Chase(replaced by Tom Dye 84), Craig Insley (c), Harry Dye Bkd, Conor White(replaced by Jason Ince 64), Gareth Bricknell, Connor Furmidge, Michael McEnery(replaced by Jez Conway 12), John McKie Sub not used; Callum Capon

PETERSFIELD TOWN:- Luke Eaton, Ryan Llewelyn, Dagan Holford(replaced by Oliver Kershaw), Nicholas Tayler, Ryan Kennedy, Jordan Geddes, Gavin Keogh, Danny Thompson, Billy Connor(replaced by Sean Evans), Harry Tremlett(replaced by Ed Plackett), Will Essai, Unused Subs; Joshua Fagelman + Samuel Hurlstone