Whitecroft & Barton Sports have added the Challenge Cup to their cabinet of trophies with a convincing victory over Shanklin at Beatrice Avenue last night (Wednesday).
This is the 3rd successive season that W&B have won the Challenge Cup, having beaten Shanklin 2-0 in 2023 and Ventnor (on penalties) in 2024.
Shanklin kept the Isle of Wight champions at bay in a first half of few chances. W&B had opportunities to break the deadlock towards the end of the 45 minutes, with Aidan Sainsbury attempting a strike from distance that missed the target and Sam Yelland failing to head home when left unmarked in a promising position.
At the other end of the pitch, W&B keeper Jamie Linington was having a quiet game as Shanklin offered little threat up front.
Half time: Shanklin 0-0 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
The breakthrough for the Isle of Wight champions came on the hour mark when man-of-the-match Alex Wright powered his way into the penalty area before lobbing Shanklin keeper Luke Walden (0-1).
Sam Cant came close to extending W&B’s lead in the 76th minute with a powerful header but was denied by an acrobatic save from Walden.
Shanklin had the opportunity to draw level 10 minutes from full time when Pete Wilson found space in the penalty area but sent his effort wide.
2 minutes later, substitute Harry Taylor sent a superb pass to Kade Woodford, who ran down the line before releasing a cross to Oli Frost, who toe-poked the ball in at the near post (0-2).
3 minutes from full time, Taylor made victory certain for W&B with a 25-yard screamer that left Walden with no chance.
Full time: Shanklin 0-3 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Shanklin: Walden, Scott-Jackson, Smythers, D. Stuber, F. Stuber, D. Field, Flux, Ashley, Sanderson, Trowbridge, Wilson Subs: Builth, J. Field, Lloyd
Whitecroft & Barton Sports: Linington, Lyon, Benford, Martin, Ovnik (c), Sainsbury, Yelland, Wright, Appell, Cant, Woodford Subs: Frost, Taylor, Jackson
Having already won Harwoods Division 1 without losing a league game in the season to date, W&B will attempt to a treble of trophies when they face Cowes Sports Reserves at Westwood Park on 29th April.
There will be further football action at Beatrice Avenue on Friday afternoon (18th April) when Newport host East Cowes Victoria in the big Isle of Wight derby.
With Fleetlands winning 0-4 on Wednesday evening, Newport no longer have even a mathematical chance of reaching the Wessex Division 1 playoffs.
4th-placed Vics are already assured of a playoff place but are still pushing to go higher in the table in their remaining 2 games as a 2nd or 3d-placed finish would ensure home advantage in the playoff semi finals.
The corresponding league fixture on Boxing Day – which Vics won 2-0 – saw a bumper crowd of 658, the highest in Wessex Division 1 this season.
Kick is at the earlier time of 13:00.
