Binstead & COB retained the Ryde & District Cup with victory over Brading Town Reserves in an emotional final at Smallbrook.
The final – normally contested in September – had been delayed while Binstead observed a period of mourning following the tragic death of club captain Darren Powell. The rearranged fixture saw Binstead attempting to retain the trophy they had won against Oakfield on penalties the previous year.
Brading made the brighter start, forcing Binstead goalkeeper Kirk Austin into a good save in the 6th minute. However, the defending champions soon took control, scoring twice in the space of 3 minutes.
Binstead struck in the 11th minute after Ash Smith surged past 2 defenders and rounded the Brading goalkeeper before laying the ball off for Ollie Crook to finish (1–0).
The lead was doubled in the 14th minute when Tom Woodhouse set up Sam Hart, who made no mistake in finding the net (2–0).
Binstead threatened to extend their advantage in the 23rd minute, only for a Brading defender to clear the ball off the goal line. At the other end, Austin produced another important intervention in the 29th minute, diving to deny Brading and preserve his side’s 2-goal lead.
James Turner – who was later named Binstead’s Man of the Match – went close in the 33rd minute following a powerful run, but was thwarted by the Brading goalkeeper.
Smith, having already created the opening goal, added his name to the scoresheet in the 39th minute, finishing following good work from Hart (3–0).
Brading came agonisingly close to reducing the deficit just a minute later when Liam Sumpter struck the upright. Austin’s earlier saves and Sumpter’s near miss demonstrated that the scoreline did not tell the whole story of an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
Half Time: Binstead & COB 3–0 Brading Town Reserves
Binstead extended their lead in the 54th minute when Hart grabbed his second goal of the evening, with Woodhouse once again providing the assist (4–0).
The defending champions almost added a fifth in the 60th minute, but another effort was cleared off the goal line by the Brading defence.
To their credit, Brading continued to battle throughout the second half despite the 4-goal deficit. However, they were unable to create further clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised Binstead side, who comfortably saw out the remaining half-hour to secure a second successive Ryde & District Cup triumph.
Full Time: Binstead & COB 4–0 Brading Town Reserves
Binstead & COB: Austin, Suckling, Gallop, Garrett, McInnes, Brooks, Woodhouse, J. Turner, Crook, Smith, Hart Subs: Walter, Murphy, I. Turner, Marchbank, Ross Man of the Match: James Turner
Brading Town Reserves: King, C. Page, Jones, White, Hatton, Shaw, Sumpter, Cantello, Gamble, Kirby, Coburn Subs: O. Page, Austin, Stead, Burton, Williams.
Brading Town Reserves manager Joshua Woodnutt was gracious in defeat, congratulating Binstead on their victory and acknowledging the significance of the occasion.
Woodnutt said after the match:
“Congratulations Gents, better than us tonight. No complaints this end from Brading. You have done a certain individual very proud tonight!”
Gate receipts from the final raised £250 for Isle of Wight Defibrillators, the charity chosen by Darren Powell’s family.
