Oakfield have won the Division 2 Championship title without playing a game after Niton failed to score the 23 goals required to take the title on goal difference in their final game.
Niton began very brightly, scoring after just 38 seconds through a Tom Brownrigg header from a corner (0-1). At this point, a cricket score looked on the cards for the visiting side as the Seaview goalkeeper, Josh Pielak, had aggravated a pre-existing back injury in attempting to save the goal and was unable to continue on the field on the field of play. Pielak was replaced by centre-back, Dan Taylor.
Niton added a second goal in the 13th minute through James Evans, again from a corner. (0-2). However, Seaview came back into the game at this point with the Niton keeper pulling off a great save to deny Seaview’s James Croft. It took until the 45th minute for the visitors to add to their tally with Ricky Keyes scoring from 10 yards from another corner that the home side appeared unable to defend properly.
HT: Seaview 0-3 Niton
Niton started the second half requiring 20 goals in 45 minutes to snatch the 2nd Division Championship from Oakfield’s grasp. They set about their seemingly impossible task at once with Tom Brownrigg heading past the Seaview ‘keeper in the 47th minute. (0-4) Conor Plenty then added a 5th for the away side with a 10-yard strike (0-5) in the 59th minute.
Seaview again showed their weakness at corner kicks with Keenan Phillips kicking the ball into his own goal in the 80th minute. (0-6) Three minutes later, Tom Brownrigg headed in his hat-trick from yet another poorly defended corner. (0-7)
Seaview then went in search of a consolation goal with Jack Robertson hitting the post for the home side. However, it was Niton who were to have the final word with two 90th minute goals. First, Brad Young set up Jake Cass to score (0-8) and then laid on Luke Chessell. (0-9)
FT: Seaview 0-9 Niton
Niton’s win leaves them equal on points with Oakfield. Both teams have 55 points from 20 games. However, Oakfield win the 2nd Division Championship through a superior goal difference of +77 compared with Niton’s goal difference of +64.
After the game, Niton manager, Darren Plenty, said:
“I’m as proud as punch with my lads and looking forward to next season in Division 1. But I don’t think championships should be decided on goal difference as we have had a number of walk over wins when we could have scored a hatful of goals.”
Congratulations are in order for Whitecroft & Barton Sports, who have won the 1st Division Championship after 2nd-placed Shanklin were held 1-1 at Bembridge, making it mathematically impossible for them to gain more points than the league leaders and reigning champions.
W&B play their final game against Sandown at Sandy Lane on Saturday (29th May).
Results for Tuesday 25th May:
IW League 1: Bembridge 1-1 Shanklin; Brading Town 4-1 West Wight; Northwood St Johns 1-1 Sandown
IW League 2: Seaview 0-9 Niton
Results courtesy of Isle of Wight Divisional FA
