Binstead & COB claimed their first league victory of the season at Northwood St Johns in a fixture overshadowed by tragedy earlier this year.
The meeting between the 2 sides carried particular significance following the death of Binstead captain Darren Powell, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the reverse fixture at the Molehill on 5th September. The match was abandoned, and the 44-year-old was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital. He later returned to St Mary’s Hospital on the Island, where he sadly died on 23rd September, surrounded by his family.
Saturday’s encounter at the Isle of Wight Community Club saw Binstead take the lead in the 29th minute through dead-ball specialist Zak Sullivan, whose 30-yard free kick proved too hot for Northwood goalkeeper Kurt Butt to handle (0–1).
However, the home side responded just 3 minutes later when Lewis Blackmore found the net from the middle of the penalty area following a throw-in (1–1).
Half Time: Northwood St Johns 1–1 Binstead & COB
The scores remained level until the 83rd minute, when Dylan Andrews latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted his effort into the bottom corner to restore Binstead’s advantage (1–2).
The late winner secured a memorable first league victory of the campaign for Binstead in a fixture that carried particular poignancy for the club.
Full Time: Northwood St Johns 1–2 Binstead & COB
Northwood St Johns: Butt, McKenzie, England, Flux (c), W Shepherd, Draper, Blackmore, Sleight, Cheek, Balchin, Taylor Subs: Ince, Lauder, Shepherd
Binstead & COB: Austin, Suckling, Marchbank, Mason (c), West, Sullivan, Andrews, Turner, Ross, Crook, McGee Subs: Dodd, Woodhouse, Turner
The victory lifted Binstead to 7th place in Division 1 with 4 points from 2 matches, while Northwood remain 8th with 4 points from 5 games.
In other Division 1 games…
West Wight 0–2 Shanklin
Shanklin inflicted West Wight’s first league defeat of the season with an impressive victory at Camp Road. Rory Day opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Frank Stuber doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 77th. The result leaves unbeaten Shanklin level with the leaders on 13 points, despite having played a game fewer. West Wight retain top spot on goal difference.
Sandown & Lake 2–4 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Whitecroft & Barton Sports maintained their unbeaten record in a dramatic encounter at Fairway. Sonny Mulholland gave Sandown an 11th-minute lead, with Dylan Moran doubling their advantage in the 34th. Theo Appell struck back immediately before equalising in the 39th minute. Late goals from Tommy Jackson (87) and Scott Sampson (90+2) completed the turnaround for W&B, who remain 3rd.
Bembridge & Vectis 2–1 Cowes Sports Reserves
Goals from Ethan Dicker and Ryan Gregory earned Bembridge & Vectis their 3rd league victory of the campaign at Steyne Park. Backshall replied for Cowes Sports Reserves, but the Yachtsmen were unable to avoid defeat. Bembridge climb to 4th place with 9 points, while Cowes remain 5th with 7.
Oakfield 2–4 Brading Town
Brading Town secured their 2nd league victory of the season at Oakfield Recreation Ground. Scott Lawson opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Harry Green struck twice, in the 39th and 58th minutes. Jack Davies completed Brading’s tally in the 66th minute. The visitors move up to 6th, while bottom club Oakfield remain without a point after 6 successive defeats.
In Division 2…
ECS 6–1 East Cowes Vics Reserves
ECS maintained their unbeaten league record with an emphatic victory over East Cowes Vics Reserves at the GKN Sports Ground. Andrew Ebbs led the scoring with a hat-trick, while Antony Cowburn, Thomas McDowell and Joshua Richardson also found the net. Ollie Simpkins scored Vics’ consolation. ECS remain 2nd in Division 2, level on 16 points with leaders Newport Reserves.
Newport Reserves 4–3 Osborne Coburg
Newport Reserves survived a 7-goal thriller against Osborne Coburg at WightFibre Park to preserve their unbeaten record. Josh Gwilliam opened the scoring in the 9th minute before George Holbrook (40) and Michael Thompsett (43) also found the net. Substitute Luca Burton added Port’s 4th just 3 minutes after the restart. Newport remain top with 16 points and an impressive goal difference of +23.
Ryde Saints 2–0 Newchurch
Ryde Saints continued their perfect start to the league season with victory over Newchurch at Smallbrook Stadium. Jay Larbalestier opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Jack Bradley doubled the advantage in the 42nd. Saints have now won all 5 league matches and sit just a point behind the leading pair, having played a game fewer.
Seaview 3–3 Niton
Fin Armstrong struck a hat-trick as Seaview earned their first point on the pitch this season in a 6-goal encounter with Niton at Seaview Rec. Armstrong’s treble secured a share of the spoils and earned him the Man of the Match award. Both sides remain without a league victory after 7 matches, with Niton 7th and Seaview bottom of Division 2.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 31st October
Division 1
Northwood St Johns 1–2 Binstead & COB
Oakfield 2–4 Brading Town
Sandown & Lake 2–4 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
West Wight 0–2 Shanklin
Bembridge & Vectis 2–1 Cowes Sports Reserves
Division 1 League Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Wight | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +17 | 13 |
| 2 | Shanklin | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | +10 | 13 |
| 3 | Whitecroft & Barton Sports | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | +17 | 11 |
| 4 | Bembridge & Vectis | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | +3 | 9 |
| 5 | Cowes Sports Reserves | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | +1 | 7 |
| 6 | Brading Town | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −1 | 6 |
| 7 | Binstead & COB | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| 8 | Northwood St Johns | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −5 | 4 |
| 9 | Sandown & Lake | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −9 | 4 |
| 10 | Oakfield | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | −34 | 0 |
Division 2
ECS 6–1 East Cowes Vics Reserves
Newport Reserves 4–3 Osborne Coburg
Ryde Saints 2–0 Newchurch
Seaview 3–3 Niton
Division 2 League Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport Reserves | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +23 | 16 |
| 2 | ECS | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +19 | 16 |
| 3 | Ryde Saints | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +17 | 15 |
| 4 | Newchurch | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | +7 | 12 |
| 5 | Osborne Coburg | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | +4 | 6 |
| 6 | East Cowes Vics Reserves | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 7 | Niton | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | −42 | 1 |
| 8 | Seaview | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | −28 | 0* |
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 4–1 Sandown & Lake Reserves
Binstead & COB Reserves 3–0 Oakfield Reserves
Combination 2
Brading Town A 10–1 Shanklin A
Newchurch Reserves 3–5 Northwood St Johns Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves 2–2 Bembridge & Vectis A
West Wight A H–W Ryde Saints Reserves (home walkover)
Saturday Vase
Shanklin Reserves 1–1 Paulsgrove Athletic Youth Mens (Paulsgrove won 5-6 on penalties)
