T&E got the game off to a decent start in the opening 15 minutes or so, with a couple of chances being created. Matt Hartmann getting into an advanced position and attempted to set up James Matthews was the first, before Kieran Nagle-Kelly fired over following a good team move involving 4/5 passes. Hartmann, in the thick of things for The Millers tried to play in Luca Cordeddu over the top, but keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse was there to meet the ball first.
The visitors then began to get themselves back in the game with Harri Catania shooting wide left footed, from range. While Ji Nash also tried his luck from all of 30 yards, that too went harmlessly over the bar. With not much else to report before the break, James Matthews perhaps had the best opportunity of the half when getting in on goal, the shot he produced was tamer then he’d have liked and a good opportunity was gone. HT 0-0
East Cowes came out the brighter side after a the break and within 5 minutes it was really noticeable, with lots more movement and invigoration about them. A left footed shot going only a foot or so wide of the post from Catania in a big warning for The Millers.
Matthews had switched wings for Totton and almost found joy immediately, when looking for Cordeddu in the area, but the ball just got away from the latter and again, another good opportunity went begging as the warning writing began to appear on the wall for T&E.
However, this wasn’t heeded and with 70 minutes on the clock, some good footwork and an outstanding finish from Sam KIRBY gave the visitors the lead. With the ball at his feet, Kirby turned inside then, out and back inside again to leave Rian Fear helpless, before curling a right footed shot at goal from around 23 yards out, which found the back of the net. A very good goal and piece of football in truth.
In the closing stages of the game, Nagle-Kelly headed over for The Millers, while at the other end the angle of the woodwork was struck as the visitors almost extended their deserved lead. A few more opportunities were created for Totton, with Lycett and Hartmann unable to take advantage of their opportunities, but it was all ultimately too late. FT 0-1
The Millers will have been disappointed with this scoreline tonight. Sometimes in football, when things go against you, boy, do they go against you and it seems as if that’s where T&E are at right now. There is certainly the potential for positive results to follow, but for now it’s back to the drawing board, before we head to Whitchurch United (Saturday 17th October – 3pm) in another important clash.
Millers Lineup: Eyres, R. Fear, Beech, Dy. Gain, Lycett, Da. Gain, Matthews, Hartmann, Cordeddu, Nagle-Kelly, Burns.
Subs: Sanger, Taylor (gk), Botcherby, Ceesay.
Attendance: 81
Adi Rose at Miller Park.
Photo: Rian Fear brings the ball out of defence.