A minute’s silence was held at Slade Road to remember manager Andy Venn, who sadly lost his battle against leukaemia earlier in the week.
A club spokesperson said of Andy:
“Oakfield FC are sad to announce the passing of Oakfield legend and the man that made this Oakfield team resurface. No words can put how the club is feeling right now – a true loss of a legend and massive character for this club and a presence that won’t be filled.”
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Andy’s son Conor – who plays for Oakfield – told Island Echo:
“Everyone would say Dad had a presence and an aura we miss. He was the man who got Oakfield going again. He helped build the clubhouse and played darts and pool for the club. He followed the team while in hospital. He even met Mum (Sharon) at the club.
“He loved every one of the team and made the club family oriented.”
Andy leaves 2 further children: daughters Amy and Lucy.
Tributes to Andy were held at other Isle of Wight clubs, including at Vicarage Lane, where there was a minute’s applause.
WEST WIGHT KNOCK EIGHT PAST OAKFIELD AT SLADE ROAD
Oakfield took an early lead at Slade Road on Saturday (20th September), but West Wight hit back in emphatic style to record an 8-1 victory in Isle of Wight Division 1.
The Oakers almost made the perfect start when Nathan Roberts struck the crossbar after just 6 minutes. At the other end, West Wight had an effort ruled out for offside on 16 minutes, before Casey Tyrell hit the upright in the 27th minute.
Oakfield then went ahead when Roberts finished calmly (1-0). However, the advantage was short-lived as Gareth Bricknell’s shot hit the crossbar and Josh Daley volleyed in the rebound to level (1-1) on 30 minutes.
Just 2 minutes later, Zak Harris put West Wight ahead with a well-taken half volley (1-2), and Tyrell extended the lead with a strike on 44 minutes (1-3).
Half time: Oakfield 1-3 West Wight
After the restart, West Wight’s dominance showed. Luke Phillips lobbed the goalkeeper from a tight angle to make it (1-4) on 56 minutes, before Daley added his second with a low finish on 63 minutes (1-5).
Bricknell got on the scoresheet himself in the 70th minute, weaving through the Oakfield defence before dispatching the ball into the net (1-6). Tyrell grabbed his second goal 2 minutes later with a scrappy finish (1-7), before substitute Chris Elliott completed the rout in the 81st minute, blasting home from Ben Gearing’s long ball (1-8).
Full time: Oakfield 1-8 West Wight
Oakfield: Woodford, May, Snipps, Venn, Wood, Cowey, Gregory, Hill, Roberts, Larbalestier, Gardner Subs: Ronan, Miles, Childs,Longerinas
West Wight: Gearing, Goldberg, Elliott, Harris, Simmonds, Thomas, Moore, Bricknell, Phillips, Daley, Tyrell Subs: Millar, Brett, Groom
The result sees West Wight sitting 3rd in Division 1 with 12 points from 5 games, while the Oakers are in 8th position with 6 points from their opening 5 fixtures.
PHOTOS:
In other games…
Ventnor 2-3 Bembridge & Vectis
With leaders W&B without a game, Ventnor squandered the opportunity to go top of the table by losing to Bembridge & Vectis by the best of 5 goals. Ventnor captain Emerson Tattersall scored twice to take his season’s total to 16 from 6 games; Harry Symes, Jamie Barratt and Sam Kirby grabbed the goals for the away side. Defeat leaves Ventnor a point behind the league leaders in 2nd, while Bembridge & Vectis climb to 4th.
Brading Town 9-1 Northwood SJ
Liam Bennett scored 4 times with Caleb Dyer and Mitchell Walker both bagging braces and substitute Alex Hatton netting a single goal as the Romans put nine past Northwood at Vicarage Lane.
Cowes Sports Reserves 0-1 Osborne Coburg
Osborne Coburg gained their first win of the season at Cowes Enterprise College against the Yachtsmen thanks to an 18th minute strike from Jason Pengelly.
Shanklin 2-0 High Park
Goals from Chandler Builth and Rory Day saw Shanklin beat 2nd-from-bottom High Park by a 2 goal margin at the County Ground.
In Division 2…
Niton 1-6 Sandown & Lake
Sandown & Lake have gone top of the Division 2 table by beating Niton at Springhead courtesy of goals from Alex Breingan, Ethan Dicker, Callum Chambers, Rob Iley, Louis Day and Nick Cantello.
East Cowes Victoria Reserves 4-1 ECS
2nd-placed Vics Reserves vanquished near neighbours ECS at Beatrice Avenue thanks to an Oliver Sweatman brace and further strikes from Maca Barnes and Lucas Baker. Andy Ebbs got ECS’s consolation.
Newchurch 6-0 Seaview
A Joe Fallone hat trick, a David Haynes brace and a further strike from Keith Rust saw Newchurch see off Seaview at Watery Lane.
Ryde Saints 4-2 Pan Community
Luke Garrett bagged a brace, with Alfie Donovan and Alfie Bradley also on target for the home side as the Saints put 4 past Pan at Smallbrook.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 20th September
Harwoods Division 1
Brading Town 9-1 Northwood SJ
Cowes Sports Reserves 0-1 Osborne Coburg
Oakfield 1-8 West Wight
Shanklin 2-0 High Park
Ventnor 2-3 Bembridge & Vectis
Division 2
East Cowes Victoria Reserves 4-1 ECS
Newchurch 6-0 Seaview
Niton 1-6 Sandown & Lake
Ryde Saints 4-2 Pan Community
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 4-4 Ventnor Reserves
ECS Reserves 7-1 Shanklin Reserves
High Park Reserves 6-4 West Wight Reserves
Sandown & Lake Reserves 3-1 Osborne Coburg Reserves
W&B Reserves 4-0 Oakfield Reserve
Combination 2
Bembridge & Vectis A 6-0 Ryde Saints Reserves
Binstead & COB Reserves 3-0 Ventnor A
High Partk A 10-1 Newchurch Reserves
West Wight A 4-0 Sandown & Lake A
