After the disappointment of Saturday’s result it was a testament to the commitment and attitude of this Town side that, other than Dan Kovacs who had prior work commitments, all the players made themselves available for the trip to the Isle of Wight.
The trip entailed a 2.30pm leave from Melksham and a return home scheduled at 1am. It is also worth remembering that unlike nearly all the sides at this level the Town’s players are not paid .
The Town got off to the worst possible start when after only 5 minutes, Brown in the Town goal could only parry a long range deflected effort, and with the Town defence flat footed it was Smeeton who stabbed the ball home to put Cowes 1-0 ahead.
On 24 minutes Melksham equalised when they were awarded a penalty for a handball and Higdon slammed home the spot kick to bring the tie level at 1-1.
On 30 minutes the home side were awarded a penalty when Ibrahim was adjudged to have upended a Cowes striker inside the box and despite Brown’s best efforts the resultant penalty was scored by Smeeton with Ibrahim picking up a caution too.
On 37 minutes the Town nearly drew level but Stead’s header went into the side netting from a Hiscocks freekick, and Higdon saw his headed goal from a freekick disallowed for an offside decision. On 40 minutes Stead picked up a caution for a clumsy high challenge and the interval was reached with Cowes 2-1 to the good.
At the start of the second period Morris was introduced for Benison and the Town began to put pressure on the Cowes goal as they sought an equaliser.
On 53 minutes Hiscocks’ near post corner was met by Barnett but he could not direct his header on goal when well placed, and on the hour mark Higdon stretched to reach a Stead flick from a Ibrahim throw but his effort slid just wide.
On 65 minutes Sibley and Hillier were introduced for Ibrahim and Stead, and Higdon again saw his effort dragged wide on 71 minutes. The Town so nearly grabbed a deserved equaliser on 73 minutes when Thompson’s header was cleared off the line from a Hiscock’s corner.
However, on 85 minutes with Melksham throwing men forward, Cowes made the game safe when a 45 yard effort flew into the Town net to put Cowes 3-1 ahead, after Brown headed clear a long ball after being forced to leave his area to help out the stretched defence.
Morris picked up a caution through some over zealous officiating in the last few minutes and the final whistle saw the Town dash off to catch the 10.30pm ferry back to Southampton with their FA Cup hopes run aground for another 12 months .
