The idyllic crossing from Lymington for tonight’s game didn’t foretell what a stormy end to the game would follow, ending with a somewhat sour taste in the mouth.
The game opened with a strike on 35 seconds- our fastest goal this season, when we won a free kick near halfway. The ball was played up to Leo who knocked it down for Tim who took the ball centrally to around 20 yards and his speculative shot took a slight deflection thereby deceiving the keeper.
On four minutes, Jason had to be alert in a one on one situation to avoid conceding an equaliser, but overall we were very lively going forward and could well have been five up at the break. Strongy was back in the starting line-up and his role alongside Leo nearly paid dividends, as between them they carved out several opportunities between themselves, Strongy had a spectacular overhead shot that flew over the bar and a powerful header from Leo on the stroke of half time was acrobatically denied by the keeper.
Cowes changed their tactics in the second period and despite a Lamin header on the hour being well saved, our hosts were in a bit of a purple patch. Just two minutes later, following and Elliott half volley that was magnificently tipped over, Cowes skipper squeezed the ball under Jason to tie the game, in a crowded goalmouth scramble where the ball seemed to stick to his feet. Wit their tails up, it was just six minutes later that they took the lead.
A cross come shot from Elliott flashed into the area, where an unmarked Barsdell unleashed an unstoppable volley that gave Jason absolutely no chance whatsoever.
We had to raise our game now, and began to play good football again, and got a goal back on 81 minutes when a corner was flicked by Leo for Ollie to stoop to head home from close in at the near post.
Tim was unfortunately given a second yellow card immediately after the goal as he tried top return the ball to the centre circle as the clock ticked away, and the temperature on the pitch increased.
It was desperate stuff as time marched on, and although we had two free kicks at the edge of the box both were charged down by the wall. The final whistle duly arrived and I witnessed some ugly scenes where some of our lads were pushed and shoved about, and words completely out of order were directed at some of our players- a very disappointing end to an entertaining game for the neutral.