League

Milnrow Stadium
Spectators: 6730 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1730, VIP seats: 0) With a little luck, Cowes's Donny Dale got control of the ball when Louie Parslow tried to sneak it across the goal line. 17 minutes into the game, Wes Sledge was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Milnrow's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Cowes the free kick. In the 17th minute, Wes Sledge hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Donny Dale showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alf Prior in the 21st minute of the match. When Drew Rawlings fell near the penalty area in the 25th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Cowes's protests and gave Drew Rawlings a yellow card for diving instead. A collision led to Cowes getting a freekick after 25 minutes play. Drew Rawlings hit a great ball. With a little luck, Cowes's Donny Dale got control of the ball when Louie Parslow tried to sneak it across the goal line. John-Paul Lane received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 28th minute. Alan Speed tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Wes Sledge kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling John-Paul Lane in the 30th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Alan Speed prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Donny Dale didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Louie Parslow went, in the 32nd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-0 was the resulting score. After 34 played minutes Milnrow got a freekick which was hit by Alf Prior. If John-Paul Lane had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Alf Prior made a kick off. The corner led to Milnrow's Robin Bridge getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. John-Paul Lane's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Alan Speed read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 61st minute of play. If Louie Parslow had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alan Speed made a fantastic save in the 68th minute, when Tommy Cambridge sent off a good shot on target. 70 minutes into the match, Cowes's goal looked a bit too open when Alf Prior came free, but Donny Dale reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 73 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Cowes! 78 minutes into the match, Louie Parslow notched a goal, 3-0, to the right of Cowes's Donny Dale. Donny Dale was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After 85 minutes of play Cowes's Drew Rawlings was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. In the 85th match minute, Cowes was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Drew Rawlings to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 90 minutes, Tommy Cambridge managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cowes's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tommy Cambridge was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Alan Speed made an important save on a dangerous shot by Tommy Cambridge in the 92nd minute. A collision led to Milnrow getting a freekick after 99 minutes play. Mick Oakes hit a great ball. Cowes's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.