SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER

                      COWES SPORTS 3, BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 0

COWES Sports earned three vital points over fellow Premier rivals Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the battle to beat the drop.

The Yachtsmen leap-frogged their opponents to third-bottom in front of a bumper 171 Westwood crowd.

The Islanders got off to the perfect start, with player-manager John McKie bagging a brace inside the opening five minutes to leave the visitors all at sea.

Isle of Wight County Press: John McKie sends in a cross against Bemerton Heath. Photo: Paul BlackleyJohn McKie sends in a cross against Bemerton Heath. Photo: Paul Blackley

Cowes came out of the blocks from the first whistle — scoring the first on three minutes when a cushioned Gareth Bricknell header sent McKie racing through on goal and smashing it past the shell-shocked keeper.

The crowd, many still taking their seats, roared when McKie added the second — beating his marker before calmly tucking the ball in.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jez Conway fires just wide for Cowes Sports. Photo: Graham BrownJez Conway fires just wide for Cowes Sports. Photo: Graham Brown

Much of the first half became scrappy as the Harlequins, who were quite poor throughout, tried to get a foothold in the game.

Whenever they did look a threat, commanding Cowes stopper Ed Hatt snuffed out the danger — tipping a shot wide when facing a one-on-one with a Bemerton striker.

The visitors played a risky high line at the back, which led to McKie slipping a lovely ball in to Jez Conway, who shot just wide.

Isle of Wight County Press: John McKie in the thick of the action for Cowes Sports. Photo: Graham Brown John McKie in the thick of the action for Cowes Sports. Photo: Graham Brown

Just after the break, Cowes skipper, Gareth Bricknell put in a superb ball from the right, which McKie missed and was saved by the keeper’s boot as it curled towards the far corner.

McKie, who gave his marker down the right a torrid time throughout the second half, saw his pin-point cross headed back into the centre for Furmidge to hit an overhead kick, which was superbly tipped over on 55 minutes.

Two minutes later, McKie pulled a perfect ball back to the same player, who smashed it goalwards — only to see it well blocked for a corner.

Isle of Wight County Press: Fin Phillips in action for Cowes against Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Photo: Graham BrownFin Phillips in action for Cowes against Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Photo: Graham Brown

The Yachtsmen were in total control of the game — coming close with shots by Callum Chase, which was well saved, and McKie, whose shot was cleared off the line.

Cowes made the game safe in the 86th minute when Aeden Coode broke away down the right and sent over an inviting low ball across the face of goal for substitute Jimmy Wykes to power home at the far post.

After the game, delighted McKie said: “The lads are buzzing. The atmosphere at the club is one of the best I’ve been among. We’ve had this togetherness since we got promoted out of Division 1 two seasons ago.

Isle of Wight County Press: Substitute Jimmy Wykes makes in 3-0 with a simple finish near the end. Photo: Graham BrownSubstitute Jimmy Wykes makes in 3-0 with a simple finish near the end. Photo: Graham Brown

“They are all so focussed on the job in hand, knowing nothing is done yet as we switch our attention to Hamble next week.

“When I took over the manager’s role, I said the players’ mentality was bulletproof — and that showed again against Bemerton Heath.

Isle of Wight County Press: John McKie gave the Bemerton Heath defence a torrid time. Photo: Paul BlackleyJohn McKie gave the Bemerton Heath defence a torrid time. Photo: Paul Blackley

“The never-say-die attitude is outstanding — all credit to the players. They deserve all the plaudits because it’s their attitude and application that has earned us vital wins time and time again when called upon.

“It was nice for me getting two goals, but it should’ve been four or five. There’s always space to grow and better yourself and that’s the high expectations we’ve instilled in the club’s mindset.”

Cowes Sports: Hatt, Conway, Sexton, Allen, Brett, Chase, Phillips, Bricknell (capt), Furmidge, McKie, White. Subs: Coode, Wykes, Watkins, Broomfield, Vyse.