PHOTOS: OSBORNE COBURG PROMOTED TO DIV 1 AFTER NEWPORT DERBY VICTORY

Osborne Coburg are now certain of playing Isle of Wight Division 1 football next season after victory against Newport Reserves at Victoria Rec on Saturday (30th March). The Port fielded a strong side, including 1st team captain Martin McDonough and experienced goalkeeper Joe McCormack. After the opening exchanges, the game sprang to life on the half hour mark when Elijah Farr-Bishop volleyed the ball from the middle of the penalty area into the goal against the run of play (0-1). Falling behind galvanised Osborne Coburg into action with Mark Taylor having a strong penalty appeal turned down when he was fouled by McDonough and Carl Phillipson forcing McCormack to make a tricky save a minute later. The Burg equalised with a goal-of-the-season from Phillipson, who – spotting McCormack off his line – volleyed the ball over the Port keeper from close to the halfway line (1-1). Newport then took the lead for the 2nd time in the game in the 45th minute through a Luke Stone own goal (1-2). The home side drew level during 1st half injury time when Phillipson bagged his brace by dribbling past 2 defenders before beating McCormack with a low shot (2-2). Half time: Osborne Coburg 2-2 Newport Reserves The Burg continued to attack in the 2nd half with Phillipson shooting just past the left post in the 47th minute, and Taylor having a 2nd penalty appeal turned down. The winning goal came courtesy of a penalty after a foul on Harry Green, with Mark Taylor taking the successful spot kick (3-2). Osborne Coburg had further chances to extend their lead towards the end of the game, with Taylor twice being foiled by McCormack and Phillipson coming close to scoring a hat trick when his shot went just past the post in the final minute of full time play. Full time: Osborne Coburg 3-2 Newport Reserves Osborne Coburg: Williams, Davies, Kenning, Stagg, Stone, Piper, Phillipson, Payne, Taylor, Green, Sumpter Subs: McCarthy, Reynolds, Summers Newport Reserves: McCormack, S. Gwilliam, L. Shepherd, Boyd, Brown, J. Gwilliam, S. Shepherd, Hayward, Whitham, Farr-Bishop, Mcdonough Subs: Hinchliffe, Lloyd, McMahon Osborne Coburg’s win puts them 11 points clear of 2nd-placed Sandown & Lake, who have 3 games of the season left to play. The Burg are 12 points clear of 3rd-placed Wootton, who have 4 games remaining. However, Osborne Coburg have a far superior goal difference to Wootton’s. 2 sides are promoted from Division 2. Division 2 table below:

In the Memorial Cup…

Vectis have reached the semi finals by beating Cowes Sports Reserves 3-2 at the Enterprise College. The Vectis scorers were Ben Cutts, Mark Goodwin and Alfie Snow. Binstead are also through to the semis after beating W&B 6-5 on penalties at the Molehill.

Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 30th March

Memorial Cup  Binstead 0-0 W&B Sports Binstead won 6-5 on penalties Vectis 3-2 Cowes Sports Reserves Junior ‘A’ Cup      East Cowes Sports Reserves 1-2 AFC Wootton Division 2 Osborne Coburg 3-2 Newport Reserves Combination 1 Northwood SJ Reserves 1-4 Brading Town Reserves Shanklin Reserves 0-1 Osborne Coburg Reserves Binstead & COB Reserves 1-2 Sandown & Lake Reserves Combination 2 High Park Reserves 10-1 West Wight A Newchurch Reserves 2-0 Ryde Saints Reserves Ventnor A 5-0 Seaview Reserves