COWES SPORTS 8

Conway 32, 51, L Wright 59, McKie 75, 79 pen, 83, 89 Chase 86

PORTLAND UNITED 1

Hewitt 25

PORTLAND United fell to an 8-1 reverse on the Isle of Wight as Cowes Sports lifted themselves from bottom spot in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Portland have now conceded eight goals in a game for the third time this season as the rebuild under new boss Franklyn Clarke and assistant Sam Poole continues.

Conceding eight looked inconceivable at half-time as the sides went in level at 1-1, and Cowes had only extended their advantage to 3-1 by the 75th minute.

Yachtsmen sub John McKie then scored four goals in 14 minutes, including an eight-minute hat-trick, as Cowes moved up into 18th, one place and a point behind the Blues.

Portland made a bright start as striker Joel Hewitt netted his first goal for the club in the 25th minute, getting across his man to finish well past Cowes’ keeper Ed Hatt.

Cowes responded in fine fashion, Scott McFarlane forcing a good save from Portland keeper Josh Lucas.

Sports went one better in the 32nd minute as Jez Conway latched onto a flick-on from Hatt’s goal-kick before slotting underneath the advancing Lucas.

Going level into the break, there was little sign of the goal storm to come despite Conway scoring his second with a superb diving header six minutes into the second half.

Portland conceded a free-kick on the left edge of the box and Lewis Wright dipped a spectacular shot over Lucas for 3-1 in the 59th minute.

Clarke’s men looked to have stabilised until the introduction of McKie, who scored his first courtesy of a clean through chance in the 75th minute.

McKie was then barged over in the box and stepped up to convert the penalty, later claiming his hat-trick by heading home Alex Wright’s cross for 6-1.

Callum Chase leapt athletically to nod past Lucas for 7-1 and McKie drilled into the bottom corner to complete the rout.

Speaking to Echosport, Clarke admitted the scoreline reflected Portland’s attempts to cut the deficit.

He said: “We went 1-0 up and were looking comfortable, like we could’ve scored again.

“We conceded a poor goal and went into half-time 1-1. We tweaked a few things trying to cause more problems for them.

“At 3-1 we chased the game which opened us up a little on the counter. In fairness, they were very clinical with their opportunities.

“It was never going to be a quick fix, never going to turn it round in a week. It’s going to take time.

“The result is what it is and I take responsibility for it. We face it head on, accept it, deal with it and then we move on.”

Portland host unbeaten Hamworthy United on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).

Blues: Lucas, Toland, Hutchinson (Smith 55), Hankin, Clarke, Morris, Williams, McKechnie, Lowes, Hanratty (Read 55), Hewitt. Sub not used: Poole

Attendance: 149