Drama as W&B leave it until last kick to extend incredible winning streak

The hosts started well and looked strong, but Cowes Sports Reserves went into a shock lead in bizarre circumstances on 15 minutes.

A mix-up between experienced W&B defender Charlie Shaw and goalkeeper Andy Payne allowed winger Joshua Neale to roll the ball into an empty net.

Unbelievably, it was the first goal W&B had conceded this season.

Josh Appell, in red, equalised with a header.

W&B were on top for the rest of the half and finally levelled on 38 minutes — Josh Appell popping up with a great header directly from an Aiden Sainsbury corner.

The home side did not play quite as well in the second half as Cowes played their game plan of parking the bus and defending everything W&B could throw at them, ready to hit W&B on the counter-attack when ever the rare opportunity arose.

Aiden Sainsbury gained an assist for the W&B equaliser.

Cowes Sports Reserves played their tactics well.

The Cowes keeper was forced into a super save to keep Sam Yelland’s effort out, but as it looked almost certain the blues would hang on to a point, up popped the prolific Matt Evans to smash the ball home from 15 yards — the ball finding him after a Jack East cross was headed out.

The goal that won it, which put them top for the first time this season, was greeted with wild celebrations to make it 12 wins from 12 games this season.

Matt Evans popped up with the winner for W&B in the 92nd minute.

“Cowes played really well, but we just have a knack of winning football games,” co-manager and player, Joe Rayner, said afterwards. 

Shanklin played out a goalless draw at struggling Vectis, but the seasiders remain unbeaten in second on goal difference, but have played two more games than W&B.

The two sides have yet to play each other in the league this season.