Carberry keeper Roberts a penalty hero as Mid-Solent League Division 2 table-toppers come from behind to beat Cowplain

Goalkeeper Lewis Roberts played a starring role as Carberry completed a Mid-Solent League double over Cowplain.
Ash Wheatley (7) nets Carberry's opening goal against Cowplain. Pic: Kevin Shipp.Ash Wheatley (7) nets Carberry's opening goal against Cowplain. Pic: Kevin Shipp.
Ash Wheatley (7) nets Carberry's opening goal against Cowplain. Pic: Kevin Shipp.

Dave Bridger’s men are top of Division 2 after winning three of their five games so far.

Two of them have come against Cowplain after they followed up a 6-2 victory in December with a 4-2 win at King George V in their first post-lockdown fixture.

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But Carberry were indebted to Roberts for their latest success as he saved a penalty when the scores were locked at 2-2.

Ash Wheatley after scoring Carberry's opening goal against Cowplain. Pic: Kevin Shipp.Ash Wheatley after scoring Carberry's opening goal against Cowplain. Pic: Kevin Shipp.
Ash Wheatley after scoring Carberry's opening goal against Cowplain. Pic: Kevin Shipp.

Ash Wheatley cancelled out Cameron Tomkins’ opener for Cowplain, before Ash Sills put Carberry ahead.

Aodhan Healey levelled the scores once more, before Connor Banks’ spot-kick was saved.

It was all Carberry from then on, Sills netting his second of the game before Dave Clarke completed the scoring.

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‘If we’d converted the penalty I’m sure we would have gone on to win,’ rued Cowplain’s Harry Collins. ‘Their keeper played very well.’

Action from Carberry's 4-2 win over Cowplain (green) in the Mid-Solent League. Picture: Kevin Shipp.Action from Carberry's 4-2 win over Cowplain (green) in the Mid-Solent League. Picture: Kevin Shipp.
Action from Carberry's 4-2 win over Cowplain (green) in the Mid-Solent League. Picture: Kevin Shipp.

‘Both teams seemed to tire a bit – even though we’re a young side, our fitness levels are very poor.

‘We’re one of the youngest sides – there’s a few 16-year-olds and I think the oldest player is only 24.’

Carberry take on Segensworth this Saturday with the latter having failed to score in their last three matches - losses to East Lodge (2-0), Horndean (5-0) and Rowner (2-0).

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‘It’s been a fragmented season - the lockdown has been very hard on all of us,’ said Bridger.

Action from Carberry (red/black) v Cowplain in the Mid-Solent League at King George V, Cosham. Picture: Kevin Shipp.Action from Carberry (red/black) v Cowplain in the Mid-Solent League at King George V, Cosham. Picture: Kevin Shipp.
Action from Carberry (red/black) v Cowplain in the Mid-Solent League at King George V, Cosham. Picture: Kevin Shipp.

‘To be fair, all we want to do now is just enjoy it.’

A potential Division 2 title decider could be staged at Westleigh Park on Saturday, May 1, as Horndean - currently second - host Carberry.

Carberry’s final game is scheduled for the following weekend, the rematch with Segensworth.

Cowplain travel to Gosport to face Rowner. When the teams met earlier in the season, Rowner led 5-1 before Cowplain stormed back to win an extraordinary encounter 7-6.

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