Shanklin comfortably beat Cowes Sports Reserves at the County Ground to reach the semi finals of the Island Echo Challenge Cup on Saturday (11th March).
The game – which was played in biting cold conditions and drizzle – began with a sustained period of Shanklin pressure and the home side winning a succession of corners. However, Cowes goalkeeper Ben Gearing made a series of good saves to prevent the away side from conceding an early goal.
In the 5th minute, the influential Aaron Burford shot narrowly past the right post. In the 19th minute, Burford hit the target by converting a Nicky Vyse cross at the near post (1-0).
The Seasiders continued to press with Pete Wilson shooting over the crossbar in the 21st. The Yachtsmen mounted a rare attack when George Holmes shot past the left post in the 35th. The 1st half ended with Burford again coming close to scoring, having a shot parried by Ben Gearing at the right post.
Half time: Shanklin 1-0 Cowes Sports Reserves
The 2nd half started in much the same manner as the 1st with a succession of Shanklin attacks. 2 minutes after the interval, Nicky Vyse found himself free in the Cowes penalty area after a defensive error but had his shot parried by Gearing at the right post. Aaron Burford then bagged his brace in the 48th minute by burying a cross from Kyle Drew from the middle of the penalty area (2-0).
Further chances fell for the Seasiders. In the 68th minute, substitute Cory Sanderson shot past the left post. In the 74th, Maca Watterson had a chance to score from the edge of the 6-yard box but scuffed his shot. 2 minutes later, the Yachtsmen’s Harry Ridley came close to scoring an own goal. In the 76th, George Carter-Knight shot over the Cowes crossbar.
2 minutes from the final whistle, the Seasiders scored their 3rd when Pete Wilson directed a low shot into the left side of the goal from the middle of the penalty area (3-0).
Full time: Shanklin 3-0 Cowes Sports Reserves
Shanklin: Linington, Wilson, Smythers, Watterson, Newnham, Gregory, Vyse, Oatley, Drew, Burford, Carter-Knight Subs: Hill, Sanderson, Cook
Cowes Sports Reserves: Gearing, Mumford, Sayers, Jackson, Coshell, Perrin, Fever-Norton, Kudzi, Nowak, Holmes, Pearson Subs: Ridley, Biss, Baker
After the game, Shanklin manager Paul Haward said:
“We played well today. We expected a tough game but dominated from the start. We have come into good form at the right time.”
For Cowes Sports, Ian Potts told Island Echo:
“Shanklin deserved it. They are a powerful, organised team. I can’t see them losing anything this season.
“We had a couple of players missing with the 1st team and used a lot of youngsters.
“Our lads gave it their all, but we lost to a more experienced side. All the goals came at the wrong time for us.”
The other Island Echo Challenge Cup game due to be played this Saturday – Northwood St Johns v W&B – was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Shanklin will now face West Wight in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup at the County Ground.
