Isle of Wight Division 1 champions Shanklin have won a league and cup double for the 2nd successive season by beating W&B at the Peter Henry Ground last night (Friday).
Last season, the Seasiders lifted the Island Echo Challenge Cup to go with their league title – this time round it was the Memorial Cup.
The Blues victory saw them avenge last Thursday’s Challenge Cup loss to closest rivals Whitecroft & Barton Sports at Westwood Park – their sole defeat to an Isle of Wight league side this season.
The 1st half began with Shanklin playing up the slope, with some incisive runs from Nicky Vyse and Cory Sanderson running the W&B defence ragged.
Shanklin’s 1st scoring opportunity fell to George Carter-Knight, who shot the ball over the crossbar.
In the 22nd minute, the man-of-the-match – Shanklin’s Nicky Vyse – made a strong run down the right before before lifting the ball over an advancing Gareth True to give the Blues a goal advantage (1-0).
On the half hour mark, Liam Harper had a great opportunity to equalise for W&B after a defensive mix-up in the Shanklin area but – with the goal at his mercy – hoofed the ball over the crossbar.
Ji Nash had 3 opportunities to extend Shanklin’s lead 1st dispatching the ball over the crossbar, then twice blasting the ball at True. Matt Oatley had a good scoring opportunity, which he also sent flying over the W&B goal.
Half time: Shanklin 1-0 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Whitecroft & Barton appeared fired up in the 2nd half and had most of the possession despite playing up the slope. However, they were unable to break down a resolute Shanklin defence.
In the 47th minute, W&B’s Jack East had a good effort foiled by Shanklin stopper Linington. On the hour mark, W&B centre forward Josh Appell headed the ball just past the upright.
The Sandy Lane side’s best scoring opportunity came 5 minutes before the full time whistle when a Harry Ovnik lob hit the far post.
Shanklin weathered the storm and came back strongly in the closing stages of the game with George Carter-Knight just missing the left upright in the 89th minute and Nicky Vyse being brought down on the edge of the W&B penalty area in the 90th.
Full time: Shanklin 1-0 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Shanklin: Linington, Wilson (c), Oatley, Turner, Drew, Gregory, Cook, Sanderson, Vyse, Nash, Carter-Knight. Subs: Winterbottom, Field, Trowbridge.
Whitecroft & Barton Sports: True, Lambert, Martin, Williams, Ovnik (c), A.Sainsbury, East, K.Sainsbury, Appell, Evans, Harper. Subs: Kalaker, Adams, Benford.
Sadly, outgoing Shanklin manager Paul Haward was unavailable and did not see his side’s Memorial Cup victory. His place was taken by Ian Bennett.
However, Paul told Island Echo after the game:
“I’m delighted for the lads and the club to win the double in my last season as manger. The league title was the priority from the start and to add the Memorial Cup to that is the icing on the cake.
“I’m really proud of everyone involved at Shanklin FC.”
