Victory for Northwood St Johns saw the Isle of Wight Division 1 side reach the last 16 of the Hampshire Trophy on Saturday (17th December).
On a day when the Isle of Wight football programme was decimated by frozen pitches, Northwood St Johns comprehensively beat Blackfield & Langley Reserves at Cowes Community Club.
This was goalkeeper Andy Payne’s 5th successive game as captain, which has seen Northwood on a run of 5 successive victories.
It was very much a game of 2 halves, with the home side huffing and puffing throughout the 1st 45 minutes but lacking the cutting edge up front required to score.
However, Northwood had Andy Payne to thank for reaching half time on level terms after he stopped a close-range Blackfield effort shortly before the interval.
Half time: Northwood St Johns 0-0 Blackfield & Langley Reserves
Northwood broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Ollie Cousins bundled the ball into the back of the Blackfield net from 2 yards (1-0).
Vincent Morgan added a 2nd for the home side in the 69th minute, heading in a corner from the edge of the 6-yard box (2-0).
A shot-cum-cross from Leo Jones then gave Northwood a 3-goal advantage (3-0).
The final goal came from Vincent Morgan, who bagged his brace a minute from full time with a further header from a corner (4-0).
Blackfield goalkeeper Max Williams did well to limit the damage to just 4 goals, twice punching over dangerous efforts (1 from his own defender).
Referee Andy Doncaster was also singled out for praise for handling a game played in difficult conditions well.
Full time: Northwood St Johns 4-0 Blackfield & Langley Reserves
Northwood St Johns: Payne, Butt, L. Flux, J. Flux, Watson, Whittle, Broomfield, Morgan, Woodford, Bowen-Clarke, Cousins Subs: Tigwell, White, Jones, Blackmore
After the game, Northwood St Johns manager John Cook said:
“This was a really good, solid team performance. We were frustrated in the 1st half but dominated the 2nd.”
Northwood will join fellow Isle of Wight side Whitecroft & Barton in the 4th round of the Hampshire Trophy.
Unfortunately, Sandown & Lake failed to go through to the next round after being beaten at home by Yateley United.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 17th December
Hampshire FA Trophy – 3rd Round
Northwood St Johns 4-0 Blackfield & Langley Reserves
Sandown & Lake 0-1 Yateley United
Harwoods Renault Division 2
Osborne Coburg 4-6 Carisbrooke United
Harwoods Renault Combination Division 1
ECS 4-1 Brading Town
Shanklin A-A Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Vectis 3-3 Sandown & Lake
Harwoods Renault Combination Division 2
Niton Community 3-2 AFC Wootton
