Northwood St Johns began their 2025/26 Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight Saturday League Division 1 season with a 0-2 win over Osborne Coburg at Victoria Recreation Ground in Newport on Saturday (31st August).
The game kicked off in sunshine with a strong wind blowing across the pitch, but conditions deteriorated into driving rain as the afternoon progressed.
Both goals came in the first half, with brothers Connor Mooney and Kian Mooney finding the net to give Northwood a solid lead at the break.
Osborne Coburg’s best chance fell to Steven McCarthy, who struck the crossbar, but they were unable to convert their pressure into goals.
It was a memorable day for Northwood, who fielded three sets of brothers in their starting line-up – the Mooneys, the Inces and the Butts – all contributing to a strong all-round team performance.
Full-time: Osborne Coburg 0-2 Northwood St Johns
Osborne Coburg: Arnold, McCarthy, Flatman, Stagg, Hermes, Sledger, Kenning, Payne, Phillipson, Pangelly, Apter. Subs: Stone, Cotton.
Northwood St Johns: McKenzie, England, Hambley, C. Butt, K. Butt, J. Ince, C. Mooney, Blackmore, K. Mooney, Roberts, A. Ince. Subs: Horder, Hodgeson, Dove.
Man of the Match: Connor England
After the game, Northwood St Johns manager Mark Allen said:
“Overall a good team performance in tricky conditions. Some well worked goals coming in the first half seeing the game out with a clean sheet. We now move onto a midweek game against Shanklin.”
Northwood St Johns are 5th in the Division 1 table with 3 points from their opening game. Osborne Coburg are currently 12th after three straight defeats.
In other games across Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight Saturday League Division 1, there were goals aplenty as teams continued their early-season campaigns.
Ventnor beat Cowes Sports Reserves 5-3 at Watcombe Bottom. Emerson Tattersall netted a hat-trick, with Charlie Urry scoring twice – the brothers combining for all five of Ventnor’s goals. Tattersall has now scored 7 times this season. The defeat leaves the Yachtsmen 7th. Ventnor are 2nd.
Brading Town lost 3-4 to W&B at the Peter Henry Ground. Sam Cant scored twice, including a late winner on 87 minutes, with Ollie Frost and Harry Green also on the scoresheet. For the Romans, captain and prolific striker Dan Vale struck twice, adding to an earlier goal from Josh Richardson. W&B move up to 4th, while Brading drop to 8th.
Oakfield were beaten 1-3 by High Park at Slade Road in the first Ryde derby of the season. Scott Saunders, Reece Galloway and Kyle Kilroy were all on target for the visitors. The Oakers are 6th after three matches. High Park climb to 9th.
Bembridge & Vectis were defeated 1-2 by West Wight at Steyne Park. Jake McNaney had given the hosts the lead before Zak Harris equalised on 85 minutes and Chris Elliott scored the winner in the 90th. West Wight lead the table with 9 points from 3 matches. Bembridge & Vectis remain 3rd.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 30th August
Harwoods Division 1
Osborne Coburg 0-2 Northwood St Johns
Bembridge & Vectis 1-2 West Wight
Brading Town 3-4 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Oakfield 1-3 High Park
Ventnor 5-3 Cowes Sports Reserves
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 1-3 Oakfield Reserves
ECS Reserves 0-2 Brading Town Reserves
Shanklin Reserves 2-1 High Park Reserves
Ventnor Reserves 1-1 Sandown & Lake Reserves
West Wight Reserves 0-2 Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves
