Cowes Sports crash out of Wessex League Cup at AFC Stoneham

AFC Stoneham 3-1 Cowes Sports

As Cowes and Stoneham sized each other up in the opening few minutes, both sides enjoyed spells of possession before the first major chance of the match came on the eighth.

Slow passing in the Yachtsmen’s defence presented Stoneham with a fantastic opportunity to take an early lead with a clear shot, but Cowes number one Ed Hatt managed to get to his right to make the save.

Stoneham wouldn’t have to wait much longer to open the scoring after a corner in the 17th was passed out to the right wing and crossed into Adam PATTISON, who passed it into the bottom right.

The rest of the first half became a bombardment by Stoneham on the Cowes defence, keeping Yachtsmen defenders on their toes with some good clearances and forcing Hatt in several top saves.

Despite the chances, Stoneham could only manage to head into the break one-nil up.

The home side came out fast for the second half, keeping up their high pressure, but the first big chance after the whistle came for Cowes in the 52nd minute.

A long ball from Hatt reached the Stoneham defensive line and bounced in the air before Connor Kelly brought it down and rifled a blocked shot, but the rebound effort ended up out for a throw.

However, moments later, some great wing play down the left by Stoneham saw the winger take the ball to the goal line before cutting it back to Duarte MARTINS, who made it two.

Just after the hour-mark Stoneham made it three. A striker managed to find goalscorer MARTINS, who found the bottom corner for his brace.

Cowes fought on and managed to conjure up some good chances, but their goal came just two minutes from time.

A big switch by Eli Ahmed found debutant Fred Salter, who cut inside first time and played into Josh Neale before Scott MCFARLANE picked up the ball and neatly tucked away in the corner.

The consolation wasn't enough for the Islanders, who wish Stoneham good luck in the semi-finals.