Portland United 3-3 Cowes Sports: Oli Lowes scores solo equaliser

COWES SPORTS 3

PORTLAND United rescued a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cowes Sports at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.

Oli Lowes was the Blues’ saviour, curling home a peach from just inside the box in the 87th minute as the sides had to settle for a second entertaining draw of the season.

In the reverse fixture, Cowes had to come from 2-0 down to secure a point in the 95th minute and the Yachtsmen were faced with the same scenario after a superb opening 45 minutes for Portland.

Kicking with a howling wind in the first half, it took just nine minutes for the Blues to break the deadlock when Troy Walbridge converted an inviting Lowes cross.

READ MORE: Brockenhurst 4-2 Portland United - match report

Matty Burrows fired wide and chances were at a premium before Portland doubled their advantage with the interval looming.

After player-boss Franklyn Clarke fired at goal, Ben Morris was on hand to tuck home from away keeper Ed Hatt’s parry.

Ben Morris, right, scored Portland's second goal Picture: IAN MIDDLEBROOK (Image: IAN MIDDLEBROOK)

Portland went close to a third when Walbridge’s sweetly-struck volley fizzed just wide – but Cowes were level soon after as the wind played havoc.

The Yachtsmen won a corner on the right and the trajectory caught out Walbridge who headed past Edgar for an own goal.

Three minutes later a Jack Barsdell corner from the left arced over home keeper Mike Edgar with the elements playing a huge part.

And Cowes had their noses in front with 10 minutes to go when Ji Nash reacted quickest to a long ball over the top before clinically beating Edgar.

With time falling away, Lowes then produced a moment of individual brilliance as he worked his way past a string of defenders before curling home for a fine solo goal.

Oli Lowes scored with three minutes remaining to salvage a point Picture: IAN MIDDLEBROOK

The point kept Cowes in 16th, one place above Portland, who have now drawn a joint-highest total of eight Wessex League Premier Division games this season.

Speaking to Echosport, Clarke said: “First half we were brilliant, dominated, created a lot of chances and scored two of them.

“At home 2-0 up at half-time we’re in a great position to go out in the second half and manage the game.

“We did that in spells but they played the conditions better, they scored from two corners.

“The other one we just didn’t defend a long ball very well.

“It’s disappointing not to take all three points but the character to come back from conceding three and get an equaliser was good – we never gave up.”

Blues: Edgar, Thomas, Hutchinson, Stuttle, Poole, McKechnie, Morris, F Clarke, Walbridge (Sayers 78), Lowes, Burrows (M Smith 69).

Match sponsor: MKM Building Supplies

Match ball sponsor: Clive Saunders

Man of the match sponsor: Jim Hinde

Programme sponsor: Café Oasis – Paul Cocks

Mascots: Lee Boatswain, Charlie Dewland, Jacob & Ethan Macleish

Attendance: 135