THERE were goals galore around the Isle of Wight this afternoon (Saturday), with Cowes Sports gaining a point in an eight-goal thriller at Westwood Park.

The struggling Yachtsmen — with one win in 25 games in all competitions — drew 4-4 with mid-table Fleet Town in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

One notable starter was the return of ex-Cowes player-manager, John McKie, who orchestrated their great escape last season.

McKie opened the scoring — following up a saved Jared Wetherick strike.

But an error by Gareth Bricknell on 22 minutes allowed Fleet to level and by half-time, the visitors were 3-1 up.

Fleet went 4-1 up and most of the crowd probably assumed it was yet another defeat for the Yachtsmen.

But when Ji Nash came on for Wetherick after an hour, Cowes began to look more of a threat and pulled back a goal on 70 minutes — McKie the scorer again on his second debut.

With time running out, Michael McEnery pulled it back to 4-3 to set up an exciting finale.

McEnery completed the comeback with a late equaliser to earn Cowes a valuable point in their battle to beat the drop, but they remain second bottom.

In Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wessex League, East Cowes Vics earned a battling single goal win at Beatrice Avenue against Ringwood Town.

Former Yachtsmen utility man, Jez Conway, scored the only goal on the hour.

The win hoisted Vics to third bottom and draw closer to the struggling clubs above them — giving them a fighting chance of beating the drop.

In the Isle of Wight cup competitions, there were 11 goals in the Adgestone match against Pan Sports.

Adgestone, of Division 2, won 7-4 against the Division 1 strugglers in the third round of the Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, which celebrates its centenary this season.

Division 2 table toppers Oakfield beat Division 1 Bembridge 3-2 at Slade Road.

Hampshire Intermediate Cup finalists, Shanklin and Brading Town, won comfortably against ECS (5-0) and Carisbrooke United (6-0) respectively.

Anyone who went along to the Isle of Wight Junior A Cup third round tie between Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves and Northwood St John Reserves saw a six-goal thriller.

After the game finished 3-3, W & B Reserves went on to win 5-4 on penalties.  

                                  TODAY'S RESULTS (SATURDAY)

Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division: Cowes Sports 4, Fleet Town 4.

Division 1: East Cowes Vics 1, Ringwood Town 0.

Isle of Wight Memorial Cup, third round: Adgestone 7, Pan Sports 4; Carisbrooke United 0, Brading Town 6; Oakfield 3, Bembridge 2; Shanklin 5, ECS 0; Ventnor 0, West Wight 2.

Isle of Wight Junior A Cup, third round: Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 3, Northwood St John Reserves 3 (W & B won 5-4 on penalties).

Isle of Wight Junior B Cup, first round: Niton Community Reserves 6, Pan Sports Reserves 1.

Harwoods Renault Island League Division 2: Newport Reserves 1, Seaview 0; Osborne Coburg 5, Wootton 0. 

Combination 2: Wootton Reserves 0, Bembridge Reserves 4; Ryde Saints A 0, Osborne Coburg Reserves 2; Vectis Reserves 10, Newchurch Reserves 0.