SECOND HALF DOUBLE SEES AFC STONEHAM TAKE HOME ALL THREE POINTS

Saturday November 20th     The WESSEX League – Premier Division

COWES SPORTS  1 (1)  v  2 (0)  AFC STONEHAM

played at Westwood Park            Kick Off – 15:00                 Attendance – 112

Referee:- LEWIS WARD             Assistants:- Charlie Hardingham + Billy Chafe

Cowes Sports latest Wessex League Premier Division fixture saw then entertain AFC Stoneham who were looking to avenge the home defeat they suffered back in early September. Back in the starting line up for the home side were skipper Finley Phillips and striker John McKie along with Callum Chase after his suspension.

Team:- Edward HATT, Max COSHELL (84), Jimmy MUMFORD, Jake WATSON, Callum CHASE, Jez CONWAY (60), Finley PHILLIPS (c), Scott McFARLANE (73), Jack BARSDELL, John McKIE, Ji NASH,

Subs:- Aedan COODE (60), Connor FURMIDGE (73), George HOLMES (84), unused – Jacob JARVIS, Jamie LININGTON g/k

An early chance for the visitors was parried over the bar by Cowes’ Ed Hatt. Cowes responded when Scott McFarlane played in Ji Nash who took the ball round Tom Parker-Trott but from a tight angle could only send the ball into the side netting. The next fifteen minute was very even with neither side really creating any chances. Cowes thought they had taken the lead on 23 minutes when a Max Coshell cross was headed into the goal by Ji Nash but the ‘goal’ was chalked off as the offside flag was raised on the far side of the pitch. Jack Barsdell ‘s low effort in the 26th minute had the Stoneham keeper scrambling across his goal to push the ball away for a corner. The same player then saw another low shot saved by the visiting keeper in the 31st minute. A minute later and Cowes finally got the goal they deserved when top scorer JOHN MCKIE fired home from just outside the area off the right hand post following good work by Scott McFarlane. In the 34th minute Stoneham thought they had equalised with their first real chance but a magnificent goal line clearance by Callum Chase prevented the ball going over the line. Cowes held on to their goal advantage until half time having been the better side throughout the first half. H-t 1 – 0 

Stoneham obviously got a half time earful from their Management team as they came out for the second half fired up. In the 49th minute they drew level when JAKE THOMSON slotted the ball under Ed Hatt from inside the box. Callum Chase was then booked for a tackle on Diego Romero which seemed rather harsh on the Cowes defender. A few decisions seemed to go the visitors way as they cried and fell to the ground on a regular basis. On 55 minutes the Yachtsmen were very unlucky not to regain the lead when a shot from 22 yards by John McKie hit the the angle of bar an post with the keeper well beaten. Jim Orvis then sent a header from a corner wide of goal for Stoneham. Aedan Coode replaced the hard working Jez Conway on the hour mark. Jack Barsdell then saw his shot from the edge of the box smack off the right post again with the keeper well beaten. Both sides made a change as Diego Romero was replaced by Nathan Clements for the visitors and Scott McFarlane came off with Connor Furmidge coming on for the home side. Callum Laycock then headed a cross over the bar but the Referee gave a corner to the visitors for some reason. Stoneham snatched the lead in the 79th minute when a cross from the right picked out SCOTT HILLS at the back post who netted, maybe it should not have been allowed to travel that far?? Cowes’ final substitution saw Max Coshell replaced by Gorge Holmes as the home side searched for a second goal whilst Stoneham made their final two replacements, both scorers coming off with Duarte Martins and Cade Dyer coming on. Callum Laycock was shown yellow for a foul on Ed Hatt before he was involved in and incident near the half way line that saw Callum Chase shown a straight red card which did not look as bad as as suggested by the Officials. Stoneham can think themselves lucky to have secured the three points as shown by their celebrations at the final whistle. Cowes played very well and lets hope they can play aswell next week as they are home again this time Alresford Town the visitors.