Cowes Sports Reserves beat Shanklin 5-3 in an entertaining Harwoods-Vauxhall Isle of Wight Saturday League opener at Westwood Park on Friday evening.
It took just 8 minutes for the home side to take the lead, with debutant Luke Smallwood finishing well to make it 1-0.
Shanklin responded in the 26th minute when Pete Wilson struck from the edge of the penalty area, his shot bouncing in off the underside of the crossbar (1-1).
Smallwood restored the lead 3 minutes before the break with a close-range effort (2-1), but Josh Field brought Shanklin level again just before half time with a well-placed strike from outside the box (2-2).
Half time: Cowes Sports Reserves 2-2 Shanklin
Cowes went back in front on the hour mark through substitute Connor Furmidge, who made an instant impact after coming off the bench (3-2).
Charlie Haward extended the lead with a low left-footed strike from the centre of the penalty area (4-2).
Rory Day pulled one back for the visitors with a 30-yard free kick from a tight angle (4-3), but Cowes sealed the win late on with a stunning curling effort from Stan Backshall (5-3).
Full time: Cowes Sports Reserves 5-3 Shanklin
Cowes Sports Reserves: Viljer, Biss, Lovett-Fenner, Coshell, Hayward, Fever-Norton, S Backshall, B Backshall, Haward, Smallwood, Mumford Subs: Furmidge, Whittle, Calder
Shanklin: Goldsmith, Jackson, Wilson, F Stuber, D Field, Ashley, Day, D Stuber, J Field, Arnold, Drudge Subs: Snaith, Blaize
In other games…
Bembridge & Vectis 1-1 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Champions W&B were held to a draw by newly formed Bembridge & Vectis at Steyne Park. Sam Cant gave the away side a goal advantage at the half time break with Jamie Barratt providing the equaliser for the home side.
Photos: Simon Dear
Brading Town 2-4 Oakfield
Goals from Jay Larbalestier, Jamie Phillips, Nathan Roberts and substitute Connor Venn saw the Oakers make a winning start to the season at Vicarage Lane. Dan Vale and Liam Bennett were on target for the Romans.
Ventnor 5-0 High Park
Last season’s runners up Ventnor went to the top of the league by putting 5 past Division 1 newcomers High Park at Watcombe Bottom. Emerson Tattersall scored a hat trick for the home side, with the remaining goals coming courtesy of Liam Harper and Rob Gee.
West Wight 3-2 Osborne Coburg
West Wight fought back to beat Osborne Coburg after conceding 2 early goals at Camp Road. Brad Kenning and Nick Payne were on target for the Burg with Gareth Bricknell and Cameron Ring scoring for West Wight. Josh Daley scored the decisive 2nd half goal for the home side.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 23rd August
Division 1
Brading Town 2-4 Oakfield
Bembridge & Vectis 1-1 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Cowes Sports 5-3 Shanklin (Friday)
Ventnor 5-0 High Park
West Wight 3-2 Osborne Coburg
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 0-4 Sandown & Lake Reserves
Oakfield Reserves 1-8 West Wight Reserves
Osborne Coburg Reserves A-W Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves
Shanklin Reserves 1-8 Brading Town Reserves
Ventnor Reserves 2-3 High Park Reserves
Isle of Wight fixtures for Tuesday 26th August
Division 1
West Wight v Ventnor (19:00)
Isle of Wight fixtures for Wednesday 27th August
Division 1
Bembridge & Vectis v Osborne Coburg (18:00)
Cowes Sports Reserves v Brading Town (19:30)
Combination 1
Oakfield Reserves v High Park Reserves (18:00)
