Cherries power past Cowes in Hampshire Cup

After early pressure the Cherries took the lead on the Isle of Wight through a fantastic Christian Saydee strike, Nathan Moriah-Welsh adding a second three minutes later.

Closing in on half time and the two scorers combined for Moriah-Welsh to add a third.

Moriah-Welsh couldn’t yet add a third of his own when his second-half penalty was saved, Saydee notching a fourth with a sublime chip.

In the thick of everything, Moriah-Welsh did finally have the hat-trick he was after when he bundled home from a low cutback.

Tarik Gidaree stepped off the bench to slam home a sixth, Connor Kurran-Browne deservedly getting his name on the lengthening scoresheet in the final ten minutes.

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Cowes Sports 0-7 AFC Bournemouth

Within three minutes of kick-off Moriah-Welsh had a free-kick that was deflected just wide, Aaron Roberts then seeing a shot blocked as the visitors made the early running.

Saydee back-heeled into the path of Ben Greenwood, the left-back unfurling a fierce strike that Cowes ‘keeper Jamie Linington tipped away.

Linington then had a near escape as a Kurran-Browne shot got through his grasp but he was able to grab the ball on the line.

There was to be no denying the Cherries on 15 minutes, however, Saydee scoring brilliantly from the angle of the box as he found the top corner.

One was soon two when Moriah-Welsh also found the inside angle of the netting from just inside the box.

The Yachtsman almost netted when Jimmy Wykes’ dipping show was diverted over by Cameron Plain’s outstretched glove.

Kurran-Browne saw a shot blocked over by a brave defender, at the other end opportunism from home striker Connor Furmidge looking to lob Plain but lacking the iron to catch the ‘keeper out.

A fine attack allowed Saydee to play around the corner for Moriah-Welsh and the midfielder smartly finished low past Linington.

Wykes was set free but was stopped by the backtracking Jack Seddon as the Cherries saw their three-goal advantage into the interval.

Greenwood flashed over with a shot from a promising position as the mainlanders started the second period on the front foot.

Saydee’s swift turn threatened a fourth before his shot was blocked, Aaron Roberts next connecting with a volley from a looping cross, the ‘keeper doing just enough to keep the ball out.

Like Nippard tried his luck from range, Linington equal to his effort, a golden chance for Moriah-Welsh soon appearing.

The midfielder was himself felled in the area, quickly gathering the ball and placing it on the spot as he eyed a hat-trick.

Linington guessed right and saved well from the Guyana international, then also foiled Kurran-Browne who struck dangerously with the follow up.

The push for another away goal continuing, a Brookyln Genesini cross fooled everyone only to come back into play off the inside of the far post.

The same upright was hit in the 75th minute, but this time the ball bounced into the net, Saydee expertly lobbing the ‘keeper with the most delicate of angled finishes.

Moriah-Welsh finally got his landmark goal, and the Cherries’ fifth, as he was in the right place at the right time to divert home a low centre.

Kurran-Browne drilled just past the post, substitute Gidaree then cleanly dispatching from ten yards when the resulting corner fell down into his path.

Midfielder Kurran-Browne was fed by Moriah-Welsh to add the goal he had been threatening all evening, the scoreboard ticking over to seven.

The extent of the scoring reached, the final whistle blew to confirm the Cherries’ emphatic booking of their place in the next round of the competition.