Brading Town overcame local rivals Shanklin to lift the Irish Rifles Memorial Cup in its centenary year at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes, last night (Tuesday).
The Memorial Cup was first played in 1920. However, COVID-19 forced the abandonment of the competition in both 2020 and 2021.
The final was a repeat of the Hampshire Trophy final of last year which saw the Romans vanquish the Seasiders 4-0 after 2 Shanklin players had been red carded.
Shanklin were the favourites to lift the Memorial Cup in 2022 after winning Isle of Wight Division 1 following a superb run of form towards the latter part of the season. The Seasiders also emphatically beat the Romans 1-5 at the Peter Henry ground on Saturday.
The Blues began the game with 3 Wessex League players in their starting line-up: Neo Lamb (Newport), Ji Nash (Cowes), and former Roman Aaron Burford (Newport).
The 1st half was competitive with Shanklin having the lion’s share of the chances that they failed to convert.
The Blues began on the front foot with George Carter-knight and Ji Nash both having goal attempts blocked by Ben Gearing in the 5th minute. On the quarter hour mark, Kyle Drew broke through the Brading defence, but delayed his shot for too long. The ball then fell for Maca Watterson, who shot over the crossbar.
Brading came back in the 20th minute with Todd Connor heading past the post and Barry Calvert having a shot saved off the goal line by Iain Seabrook.
In the 23rd minute, Brad Young got past the Roman’s back line but could only send a weak shot at Gearing. Shanklin’s George Carter-Knight then sent a shot over the crossbar, and Ji Nash was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Todd Connor.
On the half hour mark, Brading centre forward Dan Vale sent a cross through the Shanklin defence that Aaron Youngson just failed to convert. The final chance of the half fell to the Seasiders’ Neo Lamb, who sent a long-range effort just over the crossbar.
Half time: Brading Town 0-0 Shanklin
The 2nd half began with the Blues No. 8 Ji Nash just failing to connect with a Nicky Vyse cross. A few minutes later, Romans’ winger Aaron Youngson had a great run stopped by a tackle close to the edge of the penalty area.
The game became increasingly fractious with the Romans’ Jacob Treagus and Sam Knowles and the Seasiders’ Maca Watterson and Brad Young all yellow carded.
On the hour mark came the incident that determined the destination of the Memorial Cup. Shanklin captain Iain Seabrook made an uncharacteristically poor back pass that was intercepted by Barry Calvert. The Romans’ No. 10 then rounded Shanklin keeper Dan Ward, only to be brought down on the edge of the penalty area. Referee Andy Jones ignored vehement Shanklin protests that the goalkeeper had won the ball and – after consulting linesman Ian Smith – sent off Ward.
Aaron Burford was than handed Ward’s jersey. Burford could only parry the Scott Lawson’s free kick, which was knocked into the goal by Barry Calvert (1-0).
Shanklin brought on 2 substitutes – Wayne Newnham and Cory Sanderson – but could make little headway against a determined and well-organized Brading side with just 10 men.
With quarter-of-an-hour of the match remaining, prolific Romans’ centre forward and captain Dan Vale made victory certain for the Romans, converting a cross from inside the 6-yard box (2-0).
Full time: Brading Town 2-0 Shanklin
Brading Town: Gearing, Collins, Hanmore, Treagus, Connor, Knowles, Lawson, Oatley, Vale, Calvert, Youngson Subs: Shaw, Chugg, Sayers
Shanklin: Ward, Young, Lamb, Watterson, Burford, Seabrook, Cook, Nash, Vyse, Drew, Carter-Knight Subs: Newnham, Sanderson, Winterbottom
Shanklin’s defeat has denied them a treble of trophies this season. However, the Seasiders do have the chance to secure a double, when they face close rivals Whitecroft & Barton Sports in the final of the Challenge Cup at the Peter Henry Ground, Brading on 24th May in the final game of the Isle of Wight football season.
Congratulations to Brading Town, who seem to save their best performances for their most important games against the Isle of Wight League’s 2 strongest sides: Shanklin and W&B.
