MATCH REPORT - vs Hamble Club
Cowes Sports 4-4 Hamble Club
Date: Saturday 21st December 2024
Location: The Zilch Waste Stadium, Cowes
A really tough game ahead for the Yachtsmen as they welcomed 2nd place Hamble Club to The Zilch Waste Stadium with hope to come out on top considering the 2 fixtures from last season both ended up with wins, including a 4-3 win at home. The squasd knew it would require the best of them to overcome the surprise package of the season, and with a strong squad back available it was out best opportunity to make it happen too.
The first 20 minutes of the game was very much an equal affair as Hamble who like to play by getting the ball up the field as quickly as possible were being met by a sturdy Cowes defence, and Cowes who like to progress the ball by drawing the opposition in and breaking the lines with clean passes were also being met by a tough backline. As much as it felt like not much happened, it was still a very entertaining first 20 minutes of football for sure!
It wasn’t until the 22nd minute until a goal was scored, and thankfully it was in Cowes’ favour! A free kick on the left side between the 18 yard box and sideline was whipped back post by McKie where a surprisingly open Chase was free to head the ball down into the ground, off the post and into the net. It did feel like either team could have scored based on the first half of the half, so it was no surprise we got the first goal of the game at this point in the match,
With play beginning again in Hambles’ possession, they knew they needed to make amends for their sloppy defending, and they got their rewards in the 36th minute thanks to a moment of luck. Cowes manage to defend well to fend off any of the Hamble attack, with their defensive shape making it difficult for Hamble to find the right pass through, but one tackle from Carter-Knight pops the ball forwards perfectly next to the Hamble striker who manages to turn and take a quick shot, catching Hatt flat footed, and the ball trickles into the bottom left corner. One of those goals that Hamble didn’t create themselves, but they made the most of the opportunity on the 36th minute.
On the 40th minute, from our own doing once again, we manage to gift the Hamble midfield the ball from our own free kick where Chase misplaces a pass, it’s intercepted and with a well-placed through ball he releases Roach who takes the ball past our defence, around Hatt and into the empty net. With the lead being lost in the space of 5 minutes thanks to our own doing, it was certainly leading to the end of the half with an element of frustration.
Typically in football, when there is a 1 goal lead, the next goal can really change the dynamic of the game, and with Hamble leading 2-1 both teams knew that whoever scored next would have the momentum. It was the 50th minute where Hamble got their 3rd goal thanks to quick thinking from the Hamble midfielder who first time passes through our defence after Oatley who came through to win the header from the goal kick leaves a gap open. As expected, Roach again receives the ball on the right side of the box where he is 1v1 against Hatt and beats him once again, 3-1.
An injury to Cook forced him off the pitch to be replaced by Jackman, and not being influenced by that 3rd goal Cowes stuck to their plan and still looked like they could get something out of today. That challenge became much harder after Hamble, utilising the gap in the defence caused by Mumford clearance straight to one of their midfielders, knocked it over his head where the winger picks up the ball, drives towards the box, cuts back to Roach who is there to get his hattrick after blasting the ball off the bar and into the net. With the score at 4-1, and Cowes looking a bit dishevelled, it could have been game over at this point…
…But this is Westwood Park, a ground where many amazing comebacks have occured.
On the 68th minute, a throw in on the left from Mumford to Browne’s feet, who found himself on the left edge of the box with a yard of space, turned sharply and shot sharply towards the bottom left corner of the goal and in, catching the Hamble keeper flat footed, 4-2!
On the 73rd minute a corner from the right side by Carter-Knight pinned right on to the keeper who seemingly not under pressure fumbled the catch over his head where Oatley was free to head it into the net, 4-3!!
On the 85th minute the whole ground thought the comeback was complete, a pass from Phillips to McKie on the edge of the centre circle, drives forward with the ball and with the defender close to his left hand side performs a great cut-back across to his left causing the defender to run right past him to the right, now 1-on-1 with the keeper inside the box you could hear people hold their breath, but somehow the keeper manages to spread himself incredibly well and block McKie’s shot from going under him and into the net. This goal would have sent the ground wild, and you could hear the groans after the fine piece of keeping allowing Hamble to keep their now slim lead.
With the crowd thinking that was it for the day, the Cowes team weren’t thinking this at all. Another fine pass played to McKie releasing him on the right side where he allows the ball to continue moving forwards towards the box and then towards the goalline, plays a first-time cut back pass into the penalty spot area where an open Carter-Knight is there to pass the ball into the right side of the goal and complete the comeback in the 89th minute! The crowd go wild, the bench empties, and we get to witness another Cowes Sports comeback performance that everyone can walk away grateful they were there to witness today.
The final whistle goes, Hamble feel deflated and Cowes elated!
GOALS:
Cowes Sports: Chase (22’), Browne (68’), Oatley (73’), Carter-Knight (89’)
Hamble Club: Yeomans (36’), Roach (40’, 50, 63’)
Next Up: Cowes take a trip to Hythe & Dibden who seek revenge for the 3-0 loss at home at the start of the season. With the momentum in Cowes favour, it’s certainly an opportunity to get a much needed 3 points.