Brading Town fought valiantly at Vicarage Lane but fell just short in a pulsating 3-4 defeat to Bournemouth Sports in the Hampshire Trophy on Saturday (8th November).
The Romans started the tie playing up the slope and soon found themselves behind when Dan Hayward struck in the 14th minute, smashing home into the roof of the net to give the visitors an early advantage (0-1).
Brading responded well, and it was Caleb Dyer who levelled things up on 24 minutes with a calm finish after good build-up play (1-1). However, Bournemouth Sports quickly restored their lead when Jim Booth converted from close range on 29 minutes (1-2).
Aaron Bennett then produced a moment of brilliance for Brading, volleying beyond the stranded goalkeeper on 38 minutes (2-2), sparking fresh hope for the home crowd. But Bournemouth struck twice more before the interval, Taylor Webb scoring from open play in the 43rd minute (2-3) before adding another from a corner in first-half stoppage time (2-4).
Half time: Brading Town 2-4 Bournemouth Sports
With Brading now playing down the slope, the second half was a test of spirit and determination. The Romans pulled one back through Dyer, who seized on a defensive mistake to slot home and make it 3-4. Despite pressing hard and dominating territory for much of the final period, Brading could not find the equaliser they deserved.
Full time: Brading Town 3-4 Bournemouth Sports
It was a battling performance from Dan Partridge’s side, who showed great resolve and attacking threat throughout but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses in a frantic first half.
Brading Town: Williams, Collins, Glynn L, Glynn I, Knowles, Dallimer, Walker, Lawson (c), Bennett A, Bennett L, Dyer C Subs: Keetch, White, Johnson, Dyer, J
After the game, Romans manager Dan Partridge said:
“Really disappointed with the overall result but really proud of my players for how they stuck at it, coming from behind twice and getting back into the game. We threw everything at them second half but it wasn’t to be…”
In Harwoods Division 1…
West Wight 2-1 Shanklin
A brace from Gareth Bricknell saw Division 1 leaders West Wight overcome 7th-placed Shanklin at Camp Road. Rory Day scored the visitors consolation. West Wight retain their lead over 2nd-placed W&B on goal difference but have played 1 more game.
Northwood SJ 1-4 W&B
Champions W&B kept the pressure up on West Wight and retained their unbeaten record in the season to date by defeating 8th-placed Northwood at the Isle of Wight Community Club. The scorers for W&B were Aidan Sainsbury, Harry Green, Tommy Jackson and Dan Pearson with all the goals coming in the second half.
Oakfield 4-5 Ventnor
3rd-placed Ventnor vanquished 9th-placed Oakfield at Slade Road by the best of 9 goals thanks to braces from Mark Taylor and Liam Harper and a further strike from Callum Illman.
High Park 2-8 Cowes Sports Reserves
The Yachtsmen trounced 2nd-from-bottom High Park courtesy of a Luke Smallwood hat trick, a Joe Calder brace and further goals from Jordan Whittle, Connor Wolstenholme and Harry Ridley.
Osborne Coburg 3-10 Bembridge & Vectis
5th-placed Bembridge & Vectis put 10 past bottom club Osborne Coburg at Victoria Rec with Joe Houghton and Michael Brown both scoring hat tricks and Alfie Snow, Ian Rayner and Jake McNaney also on the scoresheet for the away side.
In Division 2…
Sandown & Lake 9-0 Newchurch
Leaders Sandown knocked 9 past Newchurch with Ethan Dicker scoring 4 times, Ryan Gardener grabbhing a hat trick and further goals from Jimmy Golding and Aaron Lake.
Binstead & COB 2-3 ECS
A brace from Blake Reeves and a single strike from Callum Fryer saw East Cowes Sports end Binstead’s 100% record in the battle between third and second at the Molehill.
Seaview 0-6 Newport Reserves
4th-placed Port Reserves saw off bottom club Seaview courtesy of a Jordi Shepherd brace and further strikes from Ryleigh Wain, Josh Gwilliam, Robbie Shepherd and Ash Gulliver.
East Cowes Victoria Reserves 3-2 Ryde Saints
5th placed Vics beat 7th-placed Saints at Beatrice Avenue by the best of 5 goals thanks to an Oliver Sweatman brace and a James Cheek goal 4 minutes from full time.
Niton 3-1 Pan Community
A Tom Brownrigg hat trick saw Niton pick up only their 2nd win of the season by defeating Pan at Springhead.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 8th November
Hampshire Trophy
Brading Town 3-4 Bournemouth Sports
Harwoods Division 1
High Park 2-8 Cowes Sports Reserves
Northwood SJ 1-4 W&B
Oakfield 4-5 Ventnor
Osborne Coburg 3-10 Bembridge & Vectis
West Wight 2-1 Shanklin
Division 2
Binstead & COB 2-3 ECS
East Cowes Victoria Reserves 3-2 Ryde Saints
Niton 3-1 Pan Community
Sandown & Lake 9-0 Newchurch
Seaview 0-6 Newport Reserves
Combination 1
ECS Reserves 1-8 High Park Reserves
Shanklin Reserves 3-3 Bembridge & Vectis Reserves
Ventnor Reserves 1-4 Brading Town Reserves
W&B Reserves 8-0 Osborne Coburg Reserves
Combination 2
Bembridge & Vectis A 1-4 Binstead & COB Reserves
Newchurch Reserves 1-12 High Park A
West Wight A 11-2 Ryde Saints Reserves
