Pan Community beat Newchurch comfortably in their last game in a season in which they have won the Division 2 championship, Junior ‘A’ Cup, and Hampshire Vase.
Having already won the Division 2 title, Pan began their final game by drawing players’ names out of the hat for the different positions of the team: Ash Gulliver was given the goalkeepers’ jersey and goalkeeper Joe Williams played outfield.
The Division 2 champions were given an early scare when Pete Brown scored for the away side on the quarter hour mark (0-1). 2 minutes later, Pan regular keeper Williams hit the crossbar, before missing a good chance to equalize. Temporary goalkeeper Ash Gulliver was then called into action for Pan, making a fine double save with his feet outside the penalty area.
The champions equalized on the half hour mark through Mark Taylor (1-1). 5 minutes from half time, Pan took the lead when Jack Davies sent a low shot from the edge of the penalty area past the Newchurch keeper (2-1). Regular keeper Williams then had a further chance to score but hoofed the ball over the Newchurch crossbar from a promising position.
Half time: Pan Community 2-1 Newchurch
Mark Taylor extended Pan’s lead 5 minutes from the restart when he converted a corner (3-1). 5 minutes later, Taylor set up Ross Lacey to score from 6 yards (4-1). Finally, Ash Gulliver, now playing outfield, sent a low shot from the middle of the penalty area past the Newchurch keeper (5-1).
Regular keeper Joe Williams was very unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet 5 minutes from full time when he hit the crossbar for the 2nd time in the game.
Full time: Pan Community 5-1 Newchurch
Pan Community: Gulliver, Hatton, Davies, Williams, J. Gwilliam, Case, Dunkling, Taylor, Piper, R. Shepherd, Lacey, S. Shepherd, Williams, S. Gwilliam
Newchurch: Brierly, Chandler, Norris, Clark, Morris, Wigley, Haynes, Gibson, Lloyd, Hailstone, Thomas, Lester, Connolly, Brook
In Division 1 …
Ryde Saints 0-5 Shanklin
Shanklin have moved to within 5 points of Whitecroft & Barton at the top of the Division 1 table by beating Saints at Smallbrook. The scorers for Shanklin were Ji Nash (2), Corey Sanderson and Kyle Drew (2). The Seasiders now have a realistic chance to win Division 1 this season as they have a game in hand over leaders W&B, and the 2 sides are yet to meet at the County Ground. Ryde Saints are still deep in relegation trouble, 1 point ahead of bottom club Niton, but with 2 games in hand.
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 2-3 Brading Town
W&B have lost their unbeaten record in Division 1 by losing to bogey team Brading at Sandy Lane. The Romans opened the scoring through a Scott Lawson strike (1-0). Sam Yelland then equalized for the home side (1-1) before Dan Vale restored Brading’s lead from the penalty spot before the half time break (1-2).
In the 2nd half, Scott Lawson gave the away side a 2-goal cushion (1-3) before Sam Yelland scored a consolation goal for the Division 1 leaders (2-3).
Whitecroft & Barton remain in top spot in Division 1, 5 points ahead of closest rivals Shanklin, who have a game in hand; Brading remain in 5th place.
Isle of Wight Results for Saturday 30th April
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Ryde Saints 0-5 Shanklin
Sandown & Lake A-W Oakfield
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 2-3 Brading Town
Division 1 table:
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2
Adgestone 1-1 AFC Wootton
East Cowes Vics Reserves 2-1 East Cowes Sports
Pan Sports 5-1 Newchurch
Division 2 table
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1
Brading Town A-W Binstead & COB
Dan Vale got the second goal for Brading. Cracking game on a superb pitch