Westwood Park, home of Cowes Sports based in the Isle of Wight and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the Wessex League Premier Division. Nicknamed the “Yachtsmen” with the town being situated on a Yacht filled harbour.
For the first time EVER! I am making the trip over the Solent and into the Isle of Wight! Cowes Sports vs Hamble Club is the fixture of choice and it’s down the M1 onto the M40 leading to the A43 to the A34 to the M3 and into Southampton Town Quay car park here at Terminal 2 of the Red Funnel ferries.
£22 return for this ferry! Stupendous! The Red Jet ferry to West Cowes in half an hour and here I am in Cowes! A little look around to kill time and now it’s time for the game!
£7 to watch this Wessex League tie! Fantastic! The teams are ready! The Isle of Wight for the first time! Make it one to remember please!
Kick Off! A very open start to the game here! 12 minutes in and Cowes have it down the left and he gets into the box, it’s played across to John McKie at the far post… And he finishes! Brilliant finish! We have an early goal in this game! 1-0!
2 minutes later and here come Cowes again down the right, it’s crossed in and the HEADER… BRILLIANT SAVE! It is straight at the keeper but the power of the header made the keeper sweat there surely!
20th minute and Hamble have it on the right, it’s crossed in… Keeper comes and misses it… And it’s headed in! It’s 1-1! Just like that!
34 minutes now and Cowes come forward… But to no avail and Hamble hit it clear… It’s over the Cowes defence and the Hamble man is through… And he’s put his team 2-1 up! This game has been turned on it’s head! 1-2!
1 minute later and Cowes come forward again, it’s played to the edge of the box to the left and it’s a shot… It’s rolled into the path of John McKie at the far post… HE’S SCORED AGAIN!! What a game this is! 2-2 now!
44th minute and Cowes have it down the left again, it’s played across for John McKie for the hat-trick… OH NO HE’S MISSED!! A miss of the season contender I’m afraid! Absolute sitter from about 3 yards out! A very entertaining first half stays at 2-2.
Second half, 55 minutes now and Hamble play forward, it’s a through ball to number 7 but he’s Offside… Hang on! Linesman has kept his flag down and number 7 is in… He’s around the keeper and he rolls it in… Flag stays down! He was Offside by a long way there and Cowes are furious and so they should be! A contender for worst decision of the season there! 2-3!
65 minutes gone and here come Cowes down the right, it’s crossed in towards McFarlane at the near post… He’s hit the post! So close again!
72 minutes now and it’s a corner for Cowes, in it comes… Cleared at the near post but Cowes have it back and it’s played back out to the right, in it comes again… Hamble get there but it falls for John McKie in the box who controls… AND HE FINDS THE NET!!! HAT-TRICK HERO NOW! It’s 3-3!
77th minute and Cowes come down the right with John McKie and he’s got Connor Kelly free in the box, he plays it to him, is this the moment…? NO! He’s not controlled it and the keeper pounces on it… What a chance!
83rd minute and it’s John McKie on the right again, he gets into the box and he plays it across to Connor Kelly who takes a touch… AND HE SMASHES IT HOME!! WHAT A GAME THIS IS! IT’S FOUR FOR COWES!!! 4-3!
Hamble are piling on the pressure in the closing stages… But it’s a massive win for Cowes in one of the best games I have ever seen!
FT: Cowes Sports 4-3 Hamble Club
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – A few cheers and jeers and a good spirited crowd here today but nothing too special.
- The Ground: 6/10 – It’s all about the stand which offers a great view but nothing much else here sadly.
- Expense: 10/10 – I don’t care how much I pay for a game like that!!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – The game topping off a great day here in the Isle of Wight! Met some friendly locals here as well!
30/40