Shanklin narrowly beat East Cowes Sports on penalties at the County Ground on Saturday to go through to the final of the Memorial Cup.
The Blues are already through to the final of the Island Echo Challenge Cup and currently lead Division 1 by a single point with 2 games of the season remaining.
However, the Isle of Wight champions did not overcome ECS easily. The East Cowes side more than matched Shanklin over 90 minutes and were defeated by a single penalty miss in the shootout.
ECS began the game on the front foot, with Thomas McDowell missing an open goal in the 8th minute. 2 minutes later, Brad Thomas was unfortunate to see a 30-yard volley bounce off the crossbar. In the 20th minute, Shaun Gulliver shot just past the left post.
Shanklin struck back with Pete Wilson and Nicky Vyse having shots stopped in quick succession and Maca Watterson heading just over the crossbar.
ECS took the lead in the 26th minute with a goal from Josh Richardson after a goalmouth melee following a corner (0-1).
Shortly before half time came a bizarre incident when a Maca Watterson header was stopped on the ECS goal line by Shanklin striker Nicky Vyse.
Shanklin finally ‘scored’ on the stroke of half time, but Nicky Vyse had his effort ruled offside.
Half time: Shanklin 0-1 East Cowes Sports
The 2nd half – like the 1st – was an even and entertaining contest.
On the hour mark, Shanklin’s Maca Watterson had a close-range shot stopped by Attrill. At the other end of the pitch, Gulliver chipped Linington, but then saw his effort go just past the upright. Ryan Gregory then headed just over the crossbar.
In the 70th minute came an incident which marred an otherwise fair and sporting contest when Jason Smythers was sent off for violent conduct.
As often happens, Shanklin played better with 10 than 11 men. With 10 minutes of the match remaining, George Carter-Knight sent a sublime strike from outside the penalty area, past Attrill in the ECS goal and into the back of the net (1-1).
However, despite dominating the closing stages of the game, Shanklin had to settle for a draw over 90 minutes.
Full time: Shanklin 1-1 East Cowes Sports
And so, straight to penalties. Linington stopped the 2nd ECS penalty to win the game for Shanklin. The 5th and final penalty for the home side was scored by Nicky Vyse.
Penalties: Shanklin 5-4 East Cowes Sports
Shanklin: Linington, Young, Turner, Gregory, Oatley, Watterson, Cook, Nash, Vyse, Wilson, Carter-Knight Subs: Smythers, Field, Winterbottom
East Cowes Sports: Attrill, Fletcher, Reeves, Jones, Silk, Turner, Richardson, McDowell, Gulliver, Thomas, Foreman Subs: Brown, Gwilliam, Joyce
After the game, winning manager Paul Haward said:
“Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies. We only play well when we have to.”
When asked whether his side can win 3 trophies this season, Paul replied:
“We may win none.”
For ECS, Frank Jones said:
“We’ve shown that we can hold our own at this level. However, it’s work in progress. Our fitness levels weren’t good enough over the final 20 minutes.”
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3-0 Brading Town
In the 2nd semi final played on Saturday, W&B beat Brading Town at Sandy Lane by a 3-goal margin to meet Shanklin in the Memorial Cup final. Joe Rayner scored a brace for the home side with the other goal coming courtesy of Aidan Sainsbury.
After the game, Brading manager Steve Lawton commented:
“This weekend has really summed up the season for Mark and myself. One very good performance gets followed by a game where large numbers of important players are unavailable.
“You can’t compete for leagues and cups unless the majority of players are available most weeks – that’s why W&B and Shanklin have been so successful the last few seasons.”
In Isle of Wight Division 1 …
Cowes Sports Reserves 5-0 Sandown & Lake
The Yachtsmen overcame Sandown at Westwood Park thanks to a brace from Jez Conway and further goals from George Holmes, Zac Fever-Norton and Caleb Neale.
Pan Community 1-7 Bembridge
Bembridge beat Pan at Downside with the help of a Jordan Browne hat trick, a brace from Scott Sampson and further strikes from Ant Kettle and Caleb Neale.
Ryde Saints 0-3 Vectis
Vectis saw off Saints at Smallbrook with Ben Cutts, Callum Pye-Poulter and Jamie Barratt on target for the away side.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 29th April 2023
Isle of Wight Memorial Cup – Sponsored by Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialists
Semi-Finals
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3-0 Brading Town
Shanklin 1-1 East Cowes Sports
Shanklin win 5-4 on penalties
Division 1
Cowes Sports Reserves 5-0 Sandown & Lake
Pan Community 1-7 Bembridge
Ryde Saints 0-3 Vectis
Combination 1
Binstead & COB 0-1 West Wight
Northwood St Johns H-W ECS
Sandown & Lake 2-1 Shanklin
Vectis 3-2 Brading Town
