History made as Cowes Youth win Isle of Wight U16 Cup on penalties

     ISLE OF WIGHT U16 CUP FINAL — COWES YOUTH 1, BRADING YOUTH 1

                                         (Cowes U16s won on penalties)

In doing so, the club made history by claiming the first major trophy in their history.

Having lost their only two previous finals, both played against Brading, Cowes had to up their game significantly to beat such a strong team, at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes, on Wednesday last week.

After a scrappy, goalless first half, the game came alive in the second, with Cowes taking the lead in the 50th minute — a superb, Messi-style dribbling run from the half-way line by Callum Illman into the Brading box, ending with a cool finish.

Cowes Youth U16s put pressure on the Brading goal early on in the final. (Image: Paul Blackley)

Man of the match, Brading Youth keeper Kieran Lowe, pulls off a magnificent save to deny Cowes. (Image: Paul Blackley)

Cowes then had to withstand a barrage of Brading pressure — eventually conceding in the 70th minute when Owen Stone-Broughton bundled home a cross at the far post.

Three minutes from time, Brading thought they had won it, but the goal was ruled out for offside, which led to a penalty shoot-out. 

With Brading needing to stay in the shoot-out by scoring, Cowes keeper Levi Smy was the hero by pulling off a great save and end the team's trophy drought — coming up together from U7 level — and the club's.

But it was the Brading keeper, Kieran Lowe, who was the man of the match. 
Afterwards, Cowes manager Mark Allen said: "Having lost to Cowes twice in the two previous finals we'd reached, losing to Brading in both, this was third time lucky.

Callum Illman goes on a mazy dribble and scores the opener for Cowes Youth early in the second half against Brading Youth. (Image: Paul Blackley)

Kieran Lowe pulls off another great save for Brading — tipping over a powerful strike from Cowes Youth. (Image: Paul Blackley)

"Levi saved the penalty to win the game, all our players ran on the pitch to celebrate —some were in tears. It was our first-ever trophy as a youth team in our last-ever game.

"The lads will now go on to join adult teams — some of them joining Island League clubs. 

"All developed into fantastic young men — very respectful, some are getting jobs, some achieving at school, but all are focussed.

"Putting footballing things aside, the club has offered them something in the community to do and stay out of trouble.

Cowes Youth keeper Levi Smy makes the all-important penalty to win his side the Isle of Wight U16 Cup. (Image: Paul Blackley)

Cowes Youth keeper Levi Smy and team-mate Lewis Mace encapsulate the joy of winning the Isle of Wight U16 Cup — and in such dramatic circumstances. (Image: Paul Blackley)

There were emotions all round — including a tear or two from their manager Mark Allen — as they lifted the Isle of Wight U16 Cup. (Image: Paul Blackley)

"On the footballing side — massive, massive achievement and I couldn't be prouder. There's been a lot of lows, being beaten by Brading multiple times, and by better teams, but the fact they managed to give it one last shot was amazing.

"It was written in the stars really. A penalty shoot-out, last game and, on the day, the boys wanted it. But I'll tell you what, Brading had to make us improve.

"Not going to lie, I was very emotional. It took me about two days to get over it.

"Hats off to the parents for getting them there over the years. It's a massive commitment for them."