FOOTBALLCowes Sports 2, West Wight 1 (after extra time)
COWES progressed to the semi-finals of the IW Senior (Gold) Cup on Tuesday night with their first home win since mid-September but were forced into extra time by a resilient West Wight side.
The Yachtsmen went behind when Chris GRIFFITHS pounced on a through ball by Adam Miller to slot home and give West Wight the lead.
However, the second half brought a new-look Cowes side as they peppered the West Wight goal with a host of great chances, and it was no surprise when they equalised, through Craig THOMAS’S header.
The tables were turned in the 80th minute, when West Wight’s Mark Holmes was sent off after hauling down Andy Watson.
In the first three minutes of extra time, THOMAS struck again with a simple tap-in but West Wight’s chances of a comeback were curtailed when Miller was forced off through injury.
Having used all their substitutes, they went down to nine men. West Wight made frantic efforts to force penalties, but, for once, the Cowes defence stood firm.
Cowes Sports: Norris, Dye, Watson, Brett, McDonough, Draper, Bricknell, Dyer, Augustus, Thomas. Subs: Foster, Yelland, Butcher, Jones, Randall.
West Wight: Brenchley, Thurman, Herbert, Tyrell, J. Holmes, A. Rann, Miller, Armiger, Perry, Bridges, Griffiths. Subs: M. Holmes, P. Rann, Stewart.