Last season’s Division 1 runners-up Shanklin have preserved their 100% record and extended their lead at the top of Division 1 by narrowly beating Northwood St Johns 1-2 at Cowes Community Club.
Northwood opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a strike from Toby Cousins (1-0). Shanklin forward Kyle Drew then hit the outside of the post in the 23rd minute, before scoring the equalizing goal 3 minutes later with a 5-yard tap in (1-1).
Northwood were reduced to 10 men early in the 2nd half when their No 10 was first sinbinned for dissent by referee Ian Gordon, then red carded for continuing to berate the referee as he was leaving the pitch.
Shanklin struggled to see off their spirited opponents despite having an extra player. However, shortly before full time, Kyle Drew bagged all 3 points for the away side after receiving a cross from the left, bringing the ball down onto his chest and smashing a powerful shot into the Northwood goal (2-1).
Bembridge have now advanced to 2nd place in the Division 1 table after seeing off Cowes Sports Reserves at Steyne Park. Bembridge began brightly, scoring after just 1 minute with a Dexter Malin strike from the edge of the penalty area (1-0). Darren Williams then equalized for the Yachtsmen in the 11th minute with a 20-yard shot from the corner of the penalty area (1-1).
Cowes had the chance to take the lead after being awarded a controversial penalty in the 20th minute. However, Darren Williams’s spot kick was blocked by the legs of Bembridge keeper, Charlie Waterson.
5 minutes from the end of full time, the Yachtsmen’s full back, Tom Ashley, handled the ball in the area and referee, Matt Sainsbury, had little hesitation in awarding a penalty to the home side. Bembridge captain, Dexter Malin, stepped up to score from the penalty spot to secure all 3 points for Bembridge (2-1).
Leaders Shanklin now have a maximum 12 points from 4 games and 2nd-placed Bembridge have 9 points from 4 games. Shanklin face Bembridge at the County Ground on Saturday in a clash between 1st and 2nd.
After losing their previously unbeaten record to Bembridge at Steyne Park, Cowes Sports Reserves have dropped to 3rd place in the Division 1 table with 7 points from 4 games. The Yachtsmen face a difficult tie against a strong Oakfield side at Slade Road on Saturday.
Champions, Whitecroft and Barton, have maintained their 100% record by beating 1st Division newcomers, Niton, at Nine Acres. The scorers for W&B were: Liam Slaven, Matt Evans and Alex Wright. Niton also conceded an own goal.
W&B are now in 4th place in Division 1 with 6 points from 2 games. The current Division 1 title holders travel to Camp Road, Freshwater on Saturday to face West Wight.
Division 1 leaders Pan Community thrashed a young Newport Reserve side 13-2 at Downside on Tuesday. Pan now have 10 points from 4 games and a goal difference of +18. This Saturday, Pan face 3rd placed East Cowes Sports at Downside.
2nd placed Wootton, who trail Pan on goal difference, also had a big win, beating Osborne Coburg 10-1 at Wootton Rec. Wootton next face an East Cowes Vics Reserve side that also won heavily midweek, beating Wroxall 0-8.
2 Wessex League sides are in action on the Island on Saturday afternoon. In the Wessex Premier League, 7th-placed Cowes Sports will be seeking their first home win of the season against Bournemouth (Poppies: the Wessex League side) at Westwood Park.
In Wessex League 1, East Cowes Vics will be hoping to notch up their first 3 points of the season against bottom-of-the-table Fleet Spurs. Kick off at Beatrice Avenue is at the earlier time of 14.00.
Top-of-the-table Newport travel to Wiltshire looking to maintain their 100% record in Wessex League 1 against 6th placed Downton.
Midweek football results:
1st round Hampshire Senior Cup: Cowes Sports 5-3 Christchurch; East Cowes Vics 1-1 Fawley (Vics win 4-3 on penalties); Cove 1-5 Newport
Island League Results for Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th August
Tuesday 24th August:
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Binstead & COB 5-1 Ryde Saints; Brading Town 2-2 Vectis; Niton Community 0-4 Whitecroft & Barton Sports; Northwood St Johns 1-2 Shanklin; Oakfield P-P Sandown & Lake; No Fixture: West Wight
Division 2: AFC Wootton 10-1 Osborne Coburg; High Park 4-1 Newchurch; Pan Community 13-2 Newport Reserves; Ventnor 2-0 Carisbrooke United; Wroxall 0-8 East Cowes Vics Reserves; Yarmouth & Calbourne 2-5 Adgestone;
Wednesday 25th August
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Bembridge 2-1 Cowes Sports Reserves
Division 2: East Cowes Sports 6-2 Seaview
Fixtures for Saturday 28th August 2021
Wessex Premier League: Cowes Sports v Bournemouth (15.00)
Wessex League 1: East Cowes Vics v Fleet Spurs (14.00); Downton v Newport IW
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1: Brading Town v Northwood St Johns; Niton Community v Ryde Saints; Oakfield v Cowes Sports Reserves; Shanklin v Bembridge; Vectis v Binstead & COB; West Wight v Whitecroft & Barton Sports. No Fixture: Sandown & Lake
Division 2: AFC Wootton v East Cowes Vics Reserves; Carisbrooke United v Adgestone; Newchurch v Yarmouth & Calbourne; Osborne Coburg v Wroxall; Pan Community v East Cowes Sports; Seaview v High Park; Ventnor v Newport Reserves
All Island League Fixtures to Kick-Off at 14:00.
Island League fixtures and results courtesy of the Isle of Wight DFA
