QUICK CUP EXIT ON THE ISLAND

AFTER the excitement of Saturday’s six-goal blast at the GD Print Stadium, the Brickies had something of a reality check away to Wessex Premier side Cowes Sports in the Hampshire Senior Cup. It all started so well, with a blockbuster 25-yard goal from Hector Rayner after just ten minutes to put New Milton ahead. But sadly, that was as good as it got. Cowes equalised ten minutes later and after that - in the middle of the local Cowes Week yachting regatta - it was the Brickies’ defence that was all at sea. Two minutes after their leveller, Cowes took the lead and just before half-time added a third. New Milton had made six changes to Saturday's starting line-up and brought some rested big guns off the bench in Niall Dixon and Noel McCarthy-Gardiner as they tried to get back into it - but all hope was gone on 71 minutes when Cowes added their fourth. A last-kick fifth was something of an insult, giving an unfairly lopsided look to the scoreline. The Brickies’ stay at the top of the Wessex Division One has also ended, with four other teams playing midweek league games to overtake them. Frimley Green now sit top with two wins from two, followed on four points by Kintbury, Amesbury and Fawley. Jamie Kay’s men now hope to get right back in the winning groove when they face AFC Aldermaston at the GD Print Stadium on Saturday (8th) at 3pm.