AFC Stoneham vs Cowes Sports – Hampshire Senior Cup

AFC Stoneham kicked off their Hampshire Senior Cup journey, by thrashing Wessex League rivals Cowes Sports 6-1 on Tuesday night.

Few changes from Saturday’s win against Blackfield & Langley, which sees Ben Godwin, Cade Dyer, Cian Cleary and Liam Callaghan all in the starting line-up. The Purps started off the better of the two sides, when 6 minutes in they could have gone 1-0 up. From a corner Jim Orvis plays it short to Cade Dyer who whips the ball into the box, it meets Scott Hills who heads it but it goes just wide. Another chance came from Cian Cleary who plays the ball from the right-hand side in to the box, Hills jumps to meet the cross but he narrowly misses the ball, it falls down to Liam Callaghan who shoots but his shot takes a deflection and goes out for a corner. Cowes Sports had a few attempts themselves but Ben Godwin pulled off some great saves to keep the score line at 0-0.

We didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the game as 17 minutes in Cowes Sports made it 0-1 with the goal being scored by Josh Neale. But Stoneham were quick to respond as 2 minutes later a ball floated over the top to Scott Hills who brings it down and goes through on goal and puts it in the back of the net to make it 1-1. The Purps made their first change early on in the game as Ben Godwin went off and Callum Lee replaced him after it looked like Godwin picked up a knock from a save earlier. Stoneham didn’t stop there as they registered more attempts at goal, and the persistence paid off as just before half time they made it 2-1. Stoneham nick the ball in front of the Cowes defence, play a through ball to Hills who slots it home and gets his second of the night. HT – AFC Stoneham 2-1 Cowes Sport

Stoneham start the second half as brightly as the first, with more attempts registered. Cian Cleary has a chance to make it 3 when he goes through one on one with the keeper, he shoots but his shot is right at the goal keepers far post and knocks it out for a corner. 13 minutes into the second half Stoneham get their third of the night when from great play by Scott Hills sees a pass to the by-line is met by Nathan Clements who shoots and puts it into the back of the net great play by Stoneham. The attack keeps coming from Stoneham, as later on they are awarded a penalty after a foul on Cian Cleary by the Cowes defender, Jim Orvis takes and he makes it 4-1. Cowes Sports never gave up no matter the score line and worked throughout. Stoneham made a double substitution 67 minutes in which saw Scott Hills and Jim Orvis come off and Duarte Martins and Curtis Griffin come on. Stoneham had a few attempts after the substitution but they never really bothered the keeper for Cowes. Stoneham made their final substitution 72 minutes in which saw Liam Callaghan off and Louis Thackray on.

The changes paid off as 7 minutes later The Purps got their 5th goal of the night when Cian Cleary collects the ball on the half way line, travels and puts in a great delivery to Duarte Martins who slips it around the keeper and into the back of the net. Cowes Sports registered a few attempts in the second half but none that really caused any danger for Callum Lee in the end. In added time Stoneham finished off the game when Louis Thackray gets on the score sheet and scores his first senior goal for Stoneham on the night.

FT – AFC Stoneham 6-1 Cowes Sports

Line-up: -

Godwin, Pattison, Dyer, Bulpitt, Ockwell, Ovington, Cleary, Orvis, Hills, Clements, Callaghan Subs: -

Barnes, Lee, Griffin, Thackray, Martins