IT WAS a day to forget for the Isle of Wight's top three clubs — each tasting defeat in the Sydenhams Wessex leagues this afternoon.

Cowes Sports were beaten 3-1 at home to high-flying Horndean — but there was much for the Yachtsmen's manager, Vic Sanders, to feel encouraged by in their battling performance.

As the referee blew his whistle to start the match, weather of almost Biblical proportions began, with high winds and heavy rain sweeping across the pitch, which made for a scrappy start.

But once it subsided, the visitors, who started in third place in the Wessex Premier before play began, were the more assured — confidently passing the ball around.

On one foray down the right wing, Cowes skipper Gareth Bricknell recklessly scythed down the Horndean player and went into the ref's book.

But after a few scares for Cowes, they were nearest to breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes.

A free kick, centrally placed just outside the Horndean box, was struck over the wall by Aeden Coode, but the ball was calmly tipped over by the keeper for a corner.

However, three minutes later, Horndean opened the scoring.

After a powerful drive was well blocked, unmarked Miles Everett calmly slotted the loose ball home past helpless keeper, Ed Hatt.

Cowes could not have responded to the goal any better.

Within a minute, they equalised through Michael McEnery, who rode a couple of challenges on the edge of Horndean's box before he poked it over the keeper and into the top corner.

Cowes should have taken the lead on 26 minutes when a Jez Conway cross from the right found Bricknell at the far post, who poked it wide on the half volley at full stretch.

On 34 minutes, Horndean restored their lead when a long free kick from the left was headed back across goal to an unmarked player, who volleyed into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Horndean even had time in the first half to miss an open goal from three yards — the striker somehow scooping the ball over the bar.

Cowes were playing some decent, slick football — belying their lowly league position — but without the cutting edge in the final third and clearly missing injured striker John McKee.

Out of the blue, Horndean scored a superb third on 53 minutes — a strike from the edge of the box past the bemused figure of Hatt, who wondered why his defence had allowed the player to launch it in the first place.

Cowes had half chances to get back into the game on 73 and 75 minutes, but Horndean dealt with their attack quite comfortably.

With Bemerton Heath Harlequins winning 5-0, Cowes slipped into the bottom three for the first time this season.

After the game, Sanders said his side's performance bodes well for a tough string of fixtures coming up against teams around them in the league.

"I'm really pleased with the way we applied ourselves, with six first team regulars missing, against a team third in the league," he told the County Press.

"I'm expecting John McKee to play some part in our next match and we should be getting some of our other first team players back in action soon, such as Aidan Bryan, Jimmy Wykes, Charlie Allen and Conor White.

"The two lads up front did well for us, particularly Michael McEnery, who's been around the clubs and does a good job for us in a Cowes shirt.

"He doesn't play for us as much as I'd like, but I'm hopeful he will be available for the next game.

"I couldn't ask for any more than what the lads gave me today out there. I was very pleased.

"If the Horndean player hadn't have scored that 'worldie', I think we would have got something out of the game.

"We have a good squad and I think we'll be fine come the end of the season."   

In Sydenhams Wessex Division 1, there were 4-0 deafeats for Newport, at struggling Folland Sports, and East Cowes Vics, away at Downton.

Newport drop a place to tenth and Vics down two to 13th in the table.

With the weather waterlogging pitches across the Isle of Wight yesterday, a high proportion of matches were called off.

In Division 1 of the Harwoods Isle of Wight League, three games survived, with Ventnor — in great form of late — beaten at home 3-1 to improving Binstead & COB at Watcombe Bottom.

Osborne Coburg picked up a rare point — drawing 2-2 with Sandown — but remain rooted to the bottom.

There was a high-scoring derby in Division 2, with Oakfield hammering second-placed Ryde Saints 6-3 at Slade Road — a result which helped runaway leaders Bembridge in their bid to win the title this season.

In the Hampshire Intermediate Cup third round, West Wight squeezed through against Clanfield — winning on penalties after it finished 1-1.

Whitecroft and Barton eased through comfortably with a 3-0 win away at Compton.

In the third round of the Hampshire Junior A Cup, ECS Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Wymering.

                                                   TODAY'S RESULTS

Sydenhams Wessex Premier: Cowes Sports 1, Horndean 3.

Sydenhams Wessex Division 1: Folland Sports 4, Newport 0; Downton 4, East Cowes Vics 0.

Hampshire Intermediate Cup, third round: Compton 0, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3; West Wight 1, Clanfield 1 (West Wight won on penalties).

Hampshire Junior A Cup, third round: ECS Reserves 1, Wymering 2.

Harwoods Island League Division 1: Osborne Coburg 2, Sandown 2; Shanklin 4, ECS 0; Ventnor 1, Binstead & COB 3.

Division 2: Brighstone 1, Wootton 3; Oakfield 6, Ryde Saints 3.

Combination 1: Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 3, Shanklin Reserves 2.

Combination 2: Seaview Reserves 5, Carisbrooke United Reserves 0.