COWES SPORTS 4

PORTLAND UNITED 2

PORTLAND United took issue with the big decisions as Cowes Sports claimed a 4-2 win over their play-off rivals in the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division.

The Blues felt the officials missed offside calls for the Yachtsmen’s first two goals.

All the controversy came after Joe Wickham put Portland ahead in just the fifth minute, ending a nine-game goalless run for the winger.

His strike came somewhat fortuitously from a deflection but the Blues embraced the good luck.

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Scott McFarlane responded for Cowes but could only head over and Portland top-scorer Greg Borthwick prodded wide after more good work from Wickham.

After an open start, the game settled down and Cowes began to establish their authority when equalising in the 24th minute through Finlay Phillips, who swept home from a cross.

And with Portland once more playing a high line they were undone just before the break as Cowes escaped the offside trap before winning a penalty, which Portland felt was academic given their stance on the offside call.

However, the decisions stood and John McKie stepped up to convert the spot-kick, beating Harrison Bruton in goal.

Cowes put the result beyond doubt from two set-plays in the second half as Liam Triggs netted both goals in the space of nine minutes.

At 4-1 with only 27 minutes remaining, Portland were as good as defeated but the Blues soldiered on and saw a Ryan McKechnie effort ruled out for a foul before Wickham kept his cool for 4-2.

Portland pushed to set up a tense finale and were handed seven added minutes but the closest they came was when Wickham tested Ed Hatt in the 96th minute.

Speaking to Echosport, Blues’ boss Kyle Critchell did not hide his displeasure with the biggest calls in the game.

He said: “I thought we started really well, got on the front foot and set really good traps.

“We got the early goal and unfortunately after that we gave them too much respect and didn’t continue with the plan we’d worked on.

“Ultimately, two very poor decisions have cost us two goals. There were two offside calls that weren’t given.

“To our frustration, we’d worked on a plan. They’ve got a good front three and when the ball goes into the striker, their two wingers come in off the line and we tried to make sure when that happened we held a high line.

“Both times were offside, one went for a goal and the other a penalty. We’re extremely disappointed and at the moment it feels like those sorts of decisions are going against us.”

On Wickham’s double, Critchell added: “Joe over the course of 90 minutes was fantastic, he caused them all sorts of issues.

“Hopefully that’s a restart for him and he can carry that form into the next couple of games.”

Portland return to action on Saturday at home to Christchurch (3pm).

Blues: Bruton, Harvey, Clarke, Scott (Coombs 65), Bessant (Callow 80), Gadsby, Wickham, McKechnie, Borthwick, Morris (Butcher 80), Doyle. Sub not used: J Lucas.

Attendance: 159.