Match Report – Portland United v COWES SPORTS 26-10-19

Saturday October 26th – SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE (WESSEX) Premier Division

PORTLAND UNITED 3(0)  COWES SPORTS 1(1)

played at Weyline Stadium  Attendance – 78

Referee:- CHLOE ANNE ANDERSON  Assistants – Jemma Tewksbury + Mark Sers

PORTLAND TAKE THE POINTS DESPITE BEING BEHIND AT BREAK.

Cowes Sports latest adventure took them on a 2 1/2 hour journey to take on Portland United who sat in fifth place before kick off having lost only one league game since the first day of the season. The Yachtsmen’s record at this venue is also not very good having lost their last three encounters conceding 13 goals so a tough fixture was expected.

With both Manager Steve Rutter and Assistant Joe McCormack unavailable Ian Potts was in charge. Cowes were without Callum Chase(who has joined Hamble Club), Morgan Perrin, Ewan Cranwell, Fin Phillips and Jez Conway(injured). Into the starting line up came Ashley Brett, Dominic Sexton, Aedan Coode, Gareth Bricknell and Michael McEnery. Dan Pearson Jacob Jarvis and Jason Ince filled the bench.

Team:-

Edward Hatt, Conor White, Dominic Sexton, Joseph White, Ashley Brett, Aiden White, Michael McEnery, Scott McFarlane, Gareth Bricknell (c), Aedan Coode, James Wykes, Subs; Jason Ince, Daniel Pearson, Jacob Jarvis

Due to traffic problems on route the Yachtsmen only arrived at 14:20 so had a short warm up. Light rain and a strong wind was then joined by low level fog which made life difficult for both sides during the early stages. Cowes then stunned the home crowd by taking the lead on the half hour when James Wykes saw his pass find skipper GARETH BRICKNELL 20 yards out on the left who fired past the home keeper. Despite having the wind at their backs the visitors failed to add to their lead before the break.

The Islanders came out for the second determined to hold on to their lead. Michael McEnery picked up the ball on the half way line and surged forward towards the Portland area but unfortunately sent his shot wide of the goal. The home side piled on the pressure but found keeper Ed Hatt in fine form again as the fog thickened. Mid way through the half a long clearance sent James Wykes bearing down on the Portland goal with just Steve Boore to beat in the home goal, but the keeper saved well to keep his side in the game. Minutes later the home side were level before another strike turned the game on its head with the home team now leading. Jacob Jarvis replaced Michael McEnery before Daniel Pearson came on for Scott McFarlane as Cowes looked to get back into the game. Keeper Ed Hatt once again kept his side in the game with some excellent saves. The final substitution for the visitors saw ‘Chalky’ White replaced by Jason Ince but it was the home side who went on to seal the points. Despite making a fantastic save, Ed Hatt could do nothing about the rebound as a looping header crept into the corner of the goal to wrap up the points. Another poor result away from Westwood that keeps the Yachtsmen deep in relegation trouble.