Division 1 title holders Whitecroft & Barton Sports scraped past Ventnor by the best of 3 goals in their opening game at Watcombe Bottom.
W&B were bolstered by the inclusion of Newport midfielder Harry Taylor, whose contribution proved vital for the away side’s win.
Newport began the game on the front foot with a strong penalty appeal in the opening minutes of the game. However, the 1st half saw few scoring opportunities for either side. In the 12th minute, a long ball from Harry Mullholland presented Jack Barsdell with an opportunity to put Ventnor into the lead, but he failed to take advantage. In the 19th minute, Ollie Frost sent a powerful effort over the crossbar for the away side. Then, in the 37th minute, Rio Barratt was forced to make a spectacular save to deny W&B’s Sam Yelland.
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The half ended in controversy after an aggressive challenge by W&B’s Ash Gulliver on Ventnor’s Kyle Drew led to an altercation between the 2 players and Referee Keyson Colebrook red carding both.
Kyle Drew red card
Half time: Ventnor 0-0 W&B
W&B were reduced to 9 men at the start of the 2nd half after Harry Taylor was sinbinned. The home side tested the W&B defence with the lively Liam Harper having a chance blocked in the 50th minute, Freddie Knowles hitting the crossbar with a header in the 57th, and Jack Barsdell sending an effort inches over the goal on the hour mark.
Freddie Knowles header
The breakthrough for W&B came in the 72nd minute when a weak shot from Sam Yelland was fumbled by Ventnor keeper Rio Barratt and trickled over the goal line (0-1).
Sam Yelland opens scoring for W&B
2 minutes later, Freddie Knowles put Ventnor back on level terms from a corner (1-1). 10 minutes from full time, Harry Taylor secured victory for W&B with a goal direct from a corner (1-2).
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W&B players congratulate Harri Taylor
Full time: Ventnor 1-2 W&B
Ventnor: Barratt, S. Mullholland, Ellis, Barrow, Lamb, Knowles, H. Mullholland, Stead, Barsdell, Drew, Tattersall (c) Subs: Broughton, Harper, S. Gee W&B: True, Lyon, Benford, Jackson, Ovnik (c), Sainsbury, Yelland, Tatlor, Frost, Gulliver, Woodford Subs: Rayner, Snaith
Harry Mullholland shot
After the game, W&B co-manager Joe Rayner said:
“We didn’t deserve it but with so many players out, we’ll take the win.”
Ventnor manager Gary Gee commented:
“It was a good performance in a very tight game with a lot of positives for the season ahead. But we’ve got to take our chances.”
Tommy Jackson clears the ball for W&B
In other Division 1 games…
West Wight 5-0 Binstead & COB Last season’s runners up West Wight top Harwoods Division 1 after 1 game by knocking 5 goals past Binstead at Camp Road. West Wight’s goals came courtesy of Josh Daley, Max Foreman and an Ash Brett penalty.
Bembridge 1-5 Osborne Coburg Newly promoted Osborne Coburg have gone 2nd in the table by putting 5 goals past Bembridge at Steyne Park. Carl Phillipson and Harry Green both scored braces for the Burg with the remaining goal coming from Mark Taylor.
Brading Town 3-1 Northwood SJ A Lewis Parsons hat trick saw the Romans overcome Northwood St John’s at Vicarage Lane.
Shanklin 2-1 Cowes Sports Reserves
Shanklin began their season on the front foot by beating Cowes Sports Reserves by the best of 3 goals at the County Ground. Pete Wilson and Cory Sanderson were on target for the Blues.
Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight League results for Saturday 10th August
Harwoods Division 1 Bembridge 1-5 Osborne Coburg Brading Town 3-1 Northwood SJ Shanklin 2-1 Cowes Sports Reserves (13:00) Vectis H-W AFC Wootton Ventnor 1-2 W & B Sports West Wight 5-0 Binstead & COB
Combination 1 Bembridge Reserves 1-5 High Park Reserves Binstead & COB Reserves H-W Northwood SJ Reserves East Cowes Sports Reserves 4-1 Ventnor Reserves Osborne Coburg Reserves 2-4 Brading Town Reserves Shanklin Reserves 0-2 Sandown & Lake Reserves (16:00)
