COWES Sports will have their work cut out for them if they want to progress into the third round of the Servio Hampshire Senior Cup, against a development side from Championship club Southampton tonight (Tuesday).

The Yachtsmen were unfortunate not to pick up at least a point against high-flying Stoneham, in the Wessex Premier, at Westwood Park on Saturday — and they will have it all to do again at home in front of what should be a decent midweek crowd.

Ahead of the game, Cowes keeper Ed Hatt said: "We were very unlucky against Stoneham. We were superb on Saturday and did everything but score. it was just one of those days.

"Tonight will be a good experience for us, as well as a great night for Cowes and Island football.

"We’re hoping for a good crowd, and this is the exact reason we enter the Hampshire Cup, to face the big teams at home."

Yachtsmen skipper John Mckie added: "Should be a decent crowd tonight. Obviously, we're looking forward to it, while keeping an eye on Saturday as we look to return to winning ways in the league."

Kick off is at 7.30pm.

  • See our post-match report later this evening on countypress.co.uk
  • Wessex League Division 1 sides East Cowes Vics and Whitchurch United battle it out for a place in round three tomorrow night (Wednesday).