Whitecroft & Barton Sports have extended their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 Harwoods Division 1 season with a win over newly-promoted Oakfield at Sandy Lane last night (Tuesday).
The hosts came close to taking the lead in the opening minute when Sam Cant broke through on goal, but Oakfield’s keeper did well to save at his feet. Cant made no mistake in the 6th minute, slotting home to make it 1-0.
Oakfield responded well and were rewarded in the 35th minute when Nathan Roberts found the net from close range after a break through the middle (1-1).
The Oakers did well to match the reigning champions throughout the first half, staying compact defensively and showing plenty of energy in midfield to keep the scores level.
Half time: Whitecroft & Barton Sports 1–1 Oakfield
Cant bagged his brace in the 47th minute to put W&B back in front (2-1). Just 2 minutes later, centre forward Harry Green struck the post with an overhead effort. Oakfield made it 2-2 in the 52nd minute when Riley Farrell shot across the face of the goal and found the bottom corner.
For nearly an hour, the Oakers held their own against the title favourites – but once Whitecroft & Barton found their rhythm, the floodgates opened.
W&B regained the lead in the 57th minute when Green found the net (3-2). Kalaker then scored a brace – his first in the 62nd minute with a low shot across goal (4-2), and his second in the 64th minute with a lob over the keeper (5-2).
Aidan Sainsbury added a sixth in the 67th minute (6-2), before Alex Wright grabbed a seventh for the home side in the 76th minute after being played through by Dan Pearson (7-2).
Oakfield pulled one back in the 82nd minute when Jack Lavell took advantage of a mistake by W&B goalkeeper Joe Williams (7-3).
Full time: Whitecroft & Barton Sports 7–3 Oakfield
Whitecroft & Barton Sports: Williams, Lyon, Martin, Hackshaw, Ovnik, Sainsbury, Frost, Cant, Green, Pearson, Kalaker. Subs: Drew, Wright, Appell.
Oakfield: B Woodford, Phillips, Chessell, Wood, Lavell, Cowey, Hammond, Hills, Roberts, Gardener, May. Subs: Farrell, Watterson, R Woodford.
Whitecroft & Barton Sports remain unbeaten and sit 2nd in the Harwoods Division 1 table with 7 points from 3 games. They are 2 points behind league leaders West Wight, who they face this Saturday.
The Oakers are in 9th place with 3 points from their opening 3 fixtures and will host Osborne Coburg at Slade Road on Saturday.
This evening (Wednesday), Shanklin take on Northwood St Johns at the County Ground with an 18:00 kick off.
