The 2 most successful sides in Isle of Wight football in recent years – Shanklin and W&B – face off in the final of the Island Echo Challenge Cup at Westwood Park this evening (Thursday).
Reigning Division 1 champions and Challenge Cup holders Shanklin are unbeaten against Isle of Wight sides this season; Whitecroft & Barton Sports have only lost once in their current campaign – to Shanklin.
With 1 league game remaining, Shanklin lead W&B by 3 points in the Division 1 table and are almost certain to retain their title.
Shanklin beat Binstead & COB 11-0 in the 1st round of the Island Echo Challenge Cup, they then overcame Cowes Sports Reserves 3-0 in the 2nd round before winning 3-1 against West Wight in the semi final. W&B had a narrow 0-1 victory over Northwood in the 2nd round before comprehensively beating Brading 6-1 in their semi-final.
All games featuring both Shanklin and Whitecroft & Barton Sports in the Island Echo Challenge Cup were reported on in full by Island Echo, demonstrating the commitment of the news source to Isle of Wight football.
In the history of the competition since World War II, Shanklin have won the Challenge Cup on 11 occasions; W&B have lifted the trophy 7 times (4 times as Barton Sports). Last year, Shanklin beat W&B 1-0 in the final.
Can the current Island Echo Challenge Cup holders retain their trophy this season?
Shanklin manager Paul Haward says:
“We go into the final very relaxed and looking forward to the 1st of 2 finals versus W&B. Having played a game 2 days before the cup final (crazy), we will have to see how the lads are regarding fitness, so I will have to use my squad accordingly, I know W&B also had a tough game 2 days ago, so I’m sure they will be doing the same.”
Tiredness may also prove a factor in W&B’s performance.
Whitecroft & Barton manager Gareth True has said:
“Saturday Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Typical island FA cramming fixtures and finals into 1 week.
“We will make the best of what we have, but with an average age of over 30 in the squad, it’s hard going at this stage of the season. We will, as always, compete to the best of our ability and see where it takes us.”
Kick off at Westwood Park is at 19:30.
