Ventnor delivered a composed performance at Watcombe Bottom on Saturday (10th January) to secure a valuable Harwoods Division 1 victory under caretaker manager Mark Mulholland.
The home side went into the fixture following the recent departure of Gary Gee, with reserve team boss Mulholland taking temporary charge. Ventnor had looked one of the strongest sides in Island football at the start of the season, but injuries to prolific goalscorer Emerson Tattersall and fellow striker Charlie Urry have reduced their attacking potency.
Despite those setbacks, Ventnor made a bright start and were ahead inside the opening minutes. James Flux crossed from the right and Rob Gee arrived at the far post to tap home.
Ventnor were then handed a chance to extend their advantage when Liam Harper was brought down in the penalty area. However, Harper mishit the resulting spot-kick and the opportunity was missed.
The midfielder made amends in the 20th minute, firing a superb strike from outside the box to restore his side’s two-goal lead.
Half Time: Ventnor 2-0 Oakfield
Ventnor continued to dominate after the break and could have added several more goals. Oakfield goalkeeper Ben Woodford produced a series of vital interventions to keep the visitors in contention.
The hosts created a stream of opportunities but repeatedly failed to apply the finishing touch. At the other end, Oakfield were unable to turn possession into meaningful attempts on goal.
Full Time: Ventnor 2-0 Oakfield
After the match, Ventnor caretaker manager Mark Mulholland said:
“We had around 70% of the play and could easily have won 4-0. We missed two tap-ins in the first half and two more in the second, so the scoreline didn’t quite reflect our dominance.”
Oakfield player-manager Conor Venn commented:
“It was a frustrating afternoon. Ventnor played well and we never really tested their goalkeeper. We lacked that final touch. We’re one of the youngest sides in Division 1, so if we can stay in the division, we can gain experience and hopefully become a force to be reckoned with next season.”
Ventnor’s win leaves them fourth in Harwoods Division 1 with 21 points from 11 games. Oakfield remain ninth with six points from 12 matches, one point above High Park in the second relegation position, with survival still very much in the balance.
In other Division 1 games…
West Wight 9-1 Cowes Sports
West Wight have gone 3 points clear of W&B at the top of Division 1 by putting 9 past Cowes Sports at Camp Road. Former Yachtsmen Gareth Bricknell opened the scoring for West Wight in the 4th minute, with another former Cowes player Ash Brett scoring a brace of goals and a third ex-Cowes player – Chris Elliott – also on the scoresheet. Josh Daley bagged a brace for the home side, Myles Taylor found the net in the 11th minute and substitute Alfie Nye grabbed 2 late goals. Mark Goodwin got the consolation for Cowes.
Northwood St Johns 4-4 Brading Town
The Romans held NSJ to a high scoring draw at the Isle of Wight Community Club. Aarun Ince bagged a brace for the home side, with Connor England and Connor Mooney also on the scoresheet for Northwood. Aaron Bennett (X2), Caleb Dyer and Dan Vale were on target for the visitors.
In Division 2…
Binstead & COB 7-2 Pan Community
2nd placed Binstead recovered from conceding 2 early goals to emphatically beat Pan 7-2 at the Molehill, with James Milligan scoring the equalising goal to level the scores at half time. The second half saw Binstead score 5 goals: the first a James Gallop penalty, the second a Cam O’Rourke bicycle kick, the third a Lee Eldridge effort and the fourth and fifth a Tyler Thorne brace.
Niton 1-0 Newchurch
6th-placed Niton bested Newchurch at Springhead with the only goal of the game coming courtesy of a long-range Jack Barsdell free kick.
Hythe Aztecs 1-3 Sandown & Lake
Division 2 leaders Sandown & Lake have advanced to the next round of the Hampshire Vase by beating Hythe Aztecs on North Island courtesy of goals from Dylan Andrews, Ethan Dicker and Louis Day, with Ryan Gardener providing the assists.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday, 10th January
Hampshire Vase
Hythe Aztecs 1-3 Sandown & Lake
Memorial Cup
ECS 3-3 Osborne Coburg
Harwoods Division 1
Northwood St Johns 4-4 Brading Town
Ventnor 2-0 Oakfield
West Wight 9-1 Cowes Sports
Division 2
Binstead & COB 7-2 Pan Community
Niton 1-0 Newchurch
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 1-0 Osborne Coburg Reserves
Shanklin Reserves 1-3 West Wight Reserves
Combination 2
Oakfield A 0-13 High Park A
Sandown & Lake A 1-2 Binstead & COB Reserves
