High Park have achieved promotion from Isle of Wight Division 2 by beating Niton 1-2 in a fiery encounter at Nine Acres on Wednesday evening.
High Park needed all 3 points to take the 2nd promotion spot from East Cowes Vics Reserves on goal difference.
The game was watched by a vociferous 3-figure crowd – including many from East Cowes – doubtless hoping Niton would put paid to High Park’s chances.
Niton fielded the best starting 11 they had available and were competitive all game. The South Wight side probably had the better of the 1st half.
Niton’s Jack Barsdell was their most potent attacking threat. In the 15th minute, Barsdell sent a powerful strike just past the left post. In the 22nd minute, Barsdell dispatched a 25-yard curling shot past Mike Hamman in the High Park goal to put the home side into the lead (1-0).
5 minutes later, High Park came close to levelling the scores when John Robjant directed the ball just past the right post from just inside the 6-yard box.
The final action of the half came on the stroke of half time when Niton’s George Stinton blasted the ball just over the High Park crossbar
Half time: Niton Community 1-0 High Park
High Park dominated the 2nd half to win the game with Niton coming back strongly in the closing stages but not strongly enough to deny High Park victory.
High Park equalised in controversial circumstances at around the hour mark when the ball was judged to have crossed the line in a goalmouth melee (1-1).
The goal was attributed by High Park to John Robjant. However, photographic evidence suggests the ball may not have completely crossed the line.
5 minutes later, High Park were reduced to 10 men when Harley Turner was red carded for brutally elbowing Niton ‘keeper Kurtis Smith in the face.
Smith – who had also been fouled earlier in the game with a blow to the chest – lay prostrate on the ground for some time after being struck.
However -as often happens – High Park played better with 10 men and took the lead through Mark Goodwin (1-2).
Niton battled gamely for victory in the final frantic 5 minutes. First, Fred Fairman struck the High Park upright. Then, Fairman had a good penalty appeal turned down when hindered from getting the ball in front of goal.
High Park almost extended their lead on the stroke of full time when a long-range Joe Hunt effort bounced over the Niton keeper and hit the crossbar.
Niton came agonisingly close to taking a point deep into injury time when a 30-yard free kick from Adam Barsdell cannoned the crossbar. However, High Park held out for victory and promotion.
Full time: Niton Community 1-2 High Park
Niton Community: Smith, Howell, Dixon, Carey, Cass, Blythe, Plenty, Weagg, Brownrigg, Barsdell, Stinton, Woolcock, Vu, Fairman
High Park: Hamman, Robjant, Bast, D. Hunt, J. Hunt, Woodmore, Jensen, Norman, Phillips, Clark, Malpas, Younie, Goodwin, Turner
Isle of Wight football results for Wednesday 3rd May
Division 1:
Northwood St Johns 1-1 Bembridge
Ryde Saints 1-4 West Wight
Sandown & Lake 2-0 Oakfield
Division 2:
Niton Community 1-2 High Park
Combination 1:
Shanklin 2-3 Bembridge
Elbow to the face .. another quality football performance by high park they should of been banned from the iow league long time ago.