Sandown & Lake improved their chances of escaping relegation from Division 1 by beating Pan Community at Downside in a match marred by a serious act of unsportsmanlike behaviour by a Pan player.
The game got off to an even start, Sandown with the majority of the play, and Pan playing more direct football. Between the 23rd and 25th minute, Sandown won multiple corners, and some dangerous crosses from Sonny Mulholland created half chances for striker Jake Lester, but the away side couldn’t quite get the ball over the line.
In the 35th minute, veteran Harry Mulholland appeared to be through on goal, but a bobble took the ball away from him before he could muster a strike at goal. Against the run of play, a direct ball put Pan in on the right-hand side, forcing a great save from Sandown keeper Ben Orton; however, the ball fell to a Pan player 10 yards out, with an apparent open goal, only for Orton to spring from one side of the goal to the other and keep the ball out to keep the game goalless.
2 minutes later, Sandown took the lead, with Jake Lester showing great patience to not pull the trigger, before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner, to give the away side a deserved half-time lead (0-1).
Half time: Pan Community 0-1 Sandown & Lake
The 2nd half started slowly, with Pan having the majority of the play, but some very disciplined football from the back line kept their chances limited.
Then came an unpleasant incident of unsportsmanlike behaviour …
Around the hour mark, a Pan striker was sin-binned for dissent, and the home side went briefly down to 9 men when their midfielder picked up a 2nd yellow card. The player dismissed from the field of play then lost his cool at the decision and decided to blindside the Sandown player – who was defenceless and getting up from the challenge – with a boot to the face.
Despite the extra man, Sandown couldn’t kill the game off, George Johnson and Kai Westmore missing chances, and as the full-time whistle drew closer, Pan grew into the game.
Pan were restricted to minimal chances with ‘keeper Ben Orton showing tremendous handling as he caught everything. It was a tense finish, but Sandown held on for 3 points and a clean sheet.
Full time: Pan Community 0-1 Sandown & Lake
Match report courtesy of Sandown & Lake FC
After the game, a spokesperson for Sandown said (with regard to the incident of unsportsmanlike behaviour):
“We would like to place on record our gratitude to the referee, the Pan management team and remaining players for their reaction after today’s incident. We will be making no further comment.”
A witness present at the game said:
“The situation was horrendous and something that should never be seen on a football pitch, well anywhere but licensed kickboxing.
“There are late tackles that can endanger an opponent but something like this could be fatal. The parents with the 20+ kids that were there said they’d never want to bring their kids there again.”
It is understood that the player sent off had recently returned from an 8-match ban after a previous altercation with a West Wight player in a Division 1 game earlier in the season.
In other Division 1 games …
Binstead & COB 8-1 Ryde Saints
Binstead beat near-neighbours bottom-of-the-table Ryde Saints at the Molehill thanks to braces of goals from Harry Taylor and Ash Smith and further strikes from Jared Wetherick, Cian McGee, Sam McInnes and Shay Dixon.
ECS 2-4 Vectis
Vectis overcame East Cowes Sports at the GKN Sports Ground courtesy of a brace from Aaron Lake and further strikes from Mash Wherry and Alfie Snow
Isle of Wight Division 1 table below:
In Division 2 …
High Park 7-4 Seaview
2nd-placed High Park saw off bottom club Seaview at Steyne Park and now require just 4 points to gain promotion to Division 1. John Robjant scored a hattrick for the Park and Lew Flemming bagged a brace with the remaining goals coming from Graeme Bast and Jason Phillips.
Niton Community 0-5 Ventnor
Division 2 leaders Ventnor won the West Wight derby thanks to braces from Emerson Tattersall and Charlie Urry and a further strike from Freddie Knowles. Ventnor also need 4 further points for promotion.
Osborne Coburg 3-1 Newchurch
Osborne Coburg beat 2nd-from-bottom Newchurch at Northwood Rec. Stephen McCarthy and Jack Carter (X2) were on target for the home side.
Action from Osborne Coburg v Newchurch below:
Isle of Wight Division 2 table below:
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 18th March
Isle of Wight Challenge Cup sponsored by Island Echo
2nd Round
Northwood St Johns 0-1 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
The Isle of Wight Memorial Cup sponsored by Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist
3rd Round
Brading Town P-P Cowes Sports Reserves
The Ken Morris IOW Junior ‘A’ Cup Sponsored by Harwoods Renault Saturday League
3rd Round
East Cowes Vics Reserves 1-2 AFC Wootton
Harwoods Renault Saturday League Division 1
Binstead & COB 8-1 Ryde Saints
ECS 2-4 Vectis
Pan Community 0-1 Sandown & Lake
Shanklin H-W Oakfield
West Wight P-P Bembridge
Division 2
High Park 7-4 Seaview
Niton Community 0-5 Ventnor
Osborne Coburg 3-1 Newchurch
Combination Division 1
Bembridge 2-4 ECS
Sandown & Lake 2-2 Binstead & COB
Vectis 1-3 Shanklin
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 1-0 Northwood St Johns
Combination Division 2
Ventnor H-W Ryde Saints
“The player dismissed from the field of play then lost his cool at the decision and decided to blindside the Sandown player – who was defenceless and getting up from the challenge – with a boot to the face.”
Seriously, this kind of thing should lead to the player being banned and perhaps even considered for an assault chare by the local Police?
Should have called the police and got the Pan scum banged up for kick in the head.
I hope the police get involved there are tackles and there is outright assualt
As you’ve basically copied the club match report please may you credit our socials? @sandown.lakefc on Instagram. Sandown Football Club on Facebook. Thanks
Link to your Facebook page included in match report.
Thank you sir
With so many witnesses, it is hard to see that the police should not act on this.
The sooner this kind of individual is removed the more enjoyable sport will be for everyone.
A life-time ban by the FA, so this piece of scum never plays another match and charging by the police, subsequent court appearance and suitable punishment, together with the resulting public ‘name and shame’…..might just as show youngsters upwards that this type of character is not to be copied…on the pitch or in the street.
‘unsportsmanlike behaviour by a Pan player.’
People like this shouldn’t be free to walk the streets. Our kids aren’t safe. Should be locked up for good.
And the assailant had only just returned from an 8 match ban?! That taught him a lesson, not. Get the police involved with this thug now. Then Anger Management.