COWES Sports and East Cowes Vics — the two Isle of Wight sides set to battle it out in this season's Gold Cup final — were in Wessex League action tonight (Tuesday) and came away disappointed.
The Yachtsmen, buoyed by their 3-3 draw away against struggling Downton, were across The Solent again to face a decent Baffins Milton Rovers side in the Premier.
After weathering some early Baffins pressure, Cowes got their foot on the ball and missed two great chances.
Hughes went through on goal from an excellent one-two, but his square ball was cleared.
Then Jordan Browne produced a great touch from a long kick, before lobbing the keeper, only to see the defender clear on 15 minutes.
Cowes escaped an almost freakish goal attempt on 32 minutes — a free kick by Baffins drifted further than estimated and struck the bar.
But Baffins took the lead six minutes later when Cowes only half-cleared the ball, was played back into the box for the striker to turn and volley past keeper, Ed Hatt.
The half-time team talk certainly did the trick for the Yachtsmen, who levelled things with a Scott McFarlane flick from a few yards out on 47 minutes.
Three minutes later and Cowes were in front 2-1 — Charlie Marsek, who finished off a blocked Oatley strike.
Baffins responded well and made it 2-2 from the penalty spot in the 64th minute and Oatley sin-binned in protest.
The goal spurred Baffins on and they took the lead 3-2 on 79 minutes — defender Callum Chase beaten to a ball played behind the defence, which saw the winger's shot cut across past Hatt and in.
Cowes, aiming to at least match Saturday's result, made things worse for themselves when Chase was sin-binned, as Baffins saw out the game to beat the Islanders.
Meanwhile, in Division 1, East Cowes Vics were hoping to make some ground at the top to keep them in promotion contention, after recent losses, away at mid-table Lymington Town.
After an even start, with both sides a bit cagey after the first half hour, Vics went up a gear and created several chances, but could not quite find the finishing touch in front of goal.
After a goalless first half, Vics pushed for the breakthrough — and they got it, leaving it late, with a goal by skipper, Liam Newbold, in the 83rd minute.
But there was a sting in the tail, as Lymington equalised with the last kick of the game, to leave the final score 1-1.
