MATCH REPORT - vs US Portsmouth
US Portsmouth 0 - 3 Cowes Sports
Date: Saturday 14th December 2024
Location: HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth
Following the heavy scoreline two weeks prior, it was a great opportunity for The Yachtsmen to make amends and take on bottom-of-the-league United Services Portsmouth, which in fact would be the second time playing them in the 24/25 season too. With the feeling of 3 points within reach, it was clear that Cowes Sports needed to put their mark on this game and make their chances count.
The first clear chance came when the ball was played into McFarlane’s feet in the middle of the pitch, who turned and released Marsek on the left wing. After a mazy run and cut inside, a shot across the goal passed wide of the far post to the delight of the keeper. Not long later, Wright managed to find McFarlane who was now on the right wing, where he took the ball towards the corner flag, turned, and crossed right into the middle of the 6-yard box where the defender hesitantly kicked the ball over his own crossbar.
it was on the 11th minute when a typical McKie run started on the halfway line where he nutmegged the left back, took it towards the 18 yard box, cut back at the right edge of the 6-yard box and shot, the keeper managed to fumble the ball and then collect it at the second attempt just beating an incoming Cook from stealing the ball from him. USP were certainly feeling the pressure, and the luck was seemingly on their side.
Arguably, the clearest chance of the half so far came when Mumford took the throw in on the left side towards Phillips who neatly placed a pass through for a well-timed run by Wright, who found himself approaching the left side of the 18-yard box, took it closer to the goal, passed across the box for Cook who once again had made a late run, but sadly the pass was a yard behind him, where the ball was eventually cleared.
It was only a matter of time before Cowes would break the deadlock, and USP players were beginning to feel like their luck was on their side for sure. Just when USP start feeling like they are getting more action up in Cowes 3rd of the pitch, a loss of possession from USP gifted Phillips the ball who cleverly worked with Chase and Oatley to get the ball from the edge of the 18-yard box out left to Mumford, who first time passed into Marsek’s feet, held the ball up well, where an at-speed-Mumford took the ball from Marsek’s feet and forwards towards the USP defense. After taking his time and luring out a USP defender, it allowed space for McFarlane to make a break where Mumford slotted the ball forwards, and McFarlane calmly took a touch around the keeper and passed it into the empty net. A wonderful team goal starting from under-pressure backline, and within 20 seconds, finished with a crucial goal. 1-0 to the Yachtsmen on the 25th minute!
After finding the deserved breakthrough Cowes were happy to play possession football and absorb whatever USP tried to offer in retaliation. 10 minutes of patience and controlling the game would give them confidence that USP would eventually show a gap in their defense, and on the 39th minute that moment came. The ball starts at Hughes on the right of defense, where he passes back to Chase whose first-time long pass releases McFarlane in on the right wing after a well-timed run beating the USP backline. McFarlane takes the ball down the line, cuts back and crosses along the edge of the box to McKie who plays a clever pass through the USP defender’s legs to an incoming Wright who passes the ball into the bottom corner, 2-0 to the Yachtsmen!
The half played out as expected from here, Cowes maintained control of the ball and the tempo, and USP kept failing at stringing together their passes to make an impact on the Yachtsment defense, a story of the first half for sure.
The second started much differently to the first, where USP tried to really play high and aggressive for the first 10 minutes. A substitute for Cowes in the 55th minute allowed Carter-Knight to come on and freshen up the wing area after a great shift from Marsek, which gave Cowes an option to counter quickly after absorbing the bombarding USP.
The game for Cowes became very much about being defensively strong and not letting anything past them. USP chances included a shot from outside the box hitting the bar, bouncing on the line and away, and another long-range shot that Hatt couldn’t hold where an incoming USP striker collecting the rebound managed to put wide.
After 2 more substitutions for Cowes on the 67th minute it allowed Browne a chance to make his mark on the game having only recently returned to the Yachtsmen after many years away, and 2 minutes later he got himself on the scoresheet to get the 3rd goal of the game. A ball from Hughes into McKies feet on the right side where McKie allowed the ball to run past him and the left back. The defender collected the ball, but a resilient McKie put in a well-timed tackle, taking the ball a few yards away from the defender up the right side of the pitch. A first time cross was drilled right into the box between the 6-yard box and penalty spot where Brown came steaming in, leaped and volleyed the ball with the outside of his foot down into the ground and under the sprawling keeper.
This game as far as everyone was concerned was done, even if there was 20 minutes still to play, and with USP running out of ideas and energy, it allowed Cowes to comfortably handle anything they threw at them. The final whistle came and Cowes walked off the pitch with a great opportunity to reflect on a mature performance, looking ahead to a very different opponent 7 days later.
Goals:
US Portsmouth - N/A
Cowes Sports - McFarlane (25’), Wright (39’), Browne (69’)
Next Up: Cowes host 2nd placed Hamble Club who are certainly causing everyone to pay attention to them this season with them only 4 points behind top-placed AFC Portchester. Will there be a nice Christmas Present for the Cowes Faithful? We certainly will try and deliver!