MATCH REPORT - vs AFC Stoneham

Cowes Sports 0 - 1 AFC Stoneham

Date: Saturday 8th February 2025

Location: The Zilch Waste Stadium, Cowes

A match we were keen to play considering the last time AFC Stoneham lost in the Wessex Premier League was against us back in September. Their run of form wasn’t going to dent our hopes of getting another result against them, that was certainly the feeling in the build up through the week.

The game began as expected with Stoneham controlling the possession and being dynamic in their passing and movement. The first chance of the game came when the Stoneham RB put in a well-placed cross puts Oatley under pressure who glances the header on and over Dempsey, where the now-free winger takes a chance with a first time volley and hits the post and out for a goal kick.

This was the only clear chance for both sides in the first 20 minutes as Cowes were actually able to get hold of possession and play their football, which was surprising as Stoneham historically have played a high-press. When the boys realised they were being given time to play with the ball it became a much more balanced game for sure!

Within that 20 minutes the only chance that came for Cowes was when a cross-field ball behind the Stoneham defensive line was touched back to the goalkeeper by the defender who then picked it up, the crowd and Cowes bench all shout for a pass-back (which the body position and type of kick was a giveaway) but the referee didn’t budge.

the 22nd minute saw Stoneham break the deadlock where another cross from the right wing was met by a well-timed run from a midfielder who headed the ball un-marked into the net confidently.

The only 2 notable pieces of action that came in the 30-45 minute period of the game was Stoneham hitting the bar from another header, this time from a cross on the left side of the pitch, and a yellow card for a Stoneham defender for bringing down Tout-Walters in a promising attack. The hard-to-swallow part of that booking was that the referee decided to play advantage even though we had 1 player against 5 defenders, a free-kick would have been preferred that’s for sure.

HALF TIME, 1-0 to the visitors.

The second half was a really balanced game of football without either side truly creating clear chances at goal. Cowes were defending just as good as Stoneham were, and the passages of play were nice and flowing from both sides too. Cook found himself in the book for a 50/50 challenge that the referee deemed inappropriate.

The best chance of the half for Cowes was Tout-Walters who took the ball direct up the right side, cut back in towards the box and as he approaches it tries a left-footed shot but sees the ball go wide into the side netting.

With substitutions made by Cowes to put more men in the attack it still wasn’t enough on the day to be able to provide the goal needed to bring the game back to a draw. The best chance for Stoneham this half came when the substitute striker found himself through 1-v-1 against Hatt after beating the offside trap, but rushed his chance and placed the ball wide.

All in all, it was a very balanced game that neutral fans would agree the 1-0 victory to AFC Stoneham was deserved on the day. To be able to put the title-challengers through a game that made sure they were sharp on the day was a testament to the way the Yachtsmen have grown through this season into a mature and neat footballing side.

GOALS:

Cowes Sports : N/A

AFC Stoneham: Martins (22’)

Next Up: Cowes take the longest trip of the season to Portland United FC with the hopes to break a long-standing loss-streak at the Camp & Satherly Stadium.