COWES Sports were forced to share the spoils in their game against United Service Portsmouth (USP) this afternoon (Saturday) – despite leading on three occasions.

Travelling to the HMS Temeraire ground, Fin Phillips opened the scoring for the Islanders on the nine-minute mark.

The Yachtsmen won a header from a throw, and the ball fell to George Colson in the middle, who drifted forward and played in George Carter-Knight on the right wing.

The winger’s first time cross into the centre of the box found Phillips, who slotted it home.  

The hosts levelled six minutes thereafter, netting after the ball fell favourably from a long-range effort.

On 18 minutes, Cowes took the lead once again – Carter-Knight the difference maker.

Liam Triggs seized possession from a throw in, and the ball found its way to Colson, who slipped it to Joe Hancott.

Scott McFarlane was played in, and a first time cross into the box found Carter-Knight, whose shot found the side netting despite the keeper getting hands to it.

The Islanders had opportunities to extend their lead and were punished on the counter on 29 minutes.

Quick to react, Cowes piled on the pressure, and Ryan Oatley scored to give his side a deserved lead heading into the break, drilling a header into the side netting to make it 3-2.

Second half, Cowes controlled the game for the most part, but USP found a leveller on 72 minutes from a cruel deflection.

Cowes pressed for a winner that never came, and the game ended 3-3.

Other weekend results:

Island League Division 2: 

  • Osborne Coburg 3, Newport Reserves 2

Combination 1: 

  • Northwood St Johns Reserves 1, Brading Town Reserves 4
  • Shanklin Reserves 0, Osborne Coburg Reserves 1

Combination 2: 

  • High Park FC Reserves 10, West Wight 1
  • Newchurch Reserves 2, Ryde Saints Reserves 0
  • Ventnor Reserves 5, Seaview Reserves 0

Memorial Cup:

  • Vectis 3, Cowes Sports Reserves 2
  • Binstead & COB 6, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 5

Ken Morris Junior A Cup:

  • ECS Reserves 1, Wootton 2