Reigning champions Shanklin confirmed their position as top dogs in Island League football by beating their closest challengers Whitecroft & Barton Sports at Sandy Lane on Saturday (26th November).
Both sides had been unbeaten before Saturday’s clash. The 2 sides had cancelled each other out in a goalless draw in the corresponding fixture at the County Ground earlier in the season.
W&B were kicking down the slope in the 1st half. However, Shanklin defended well with goalkeeper Jamie Linginton proving himself equal to everything the home side could throw at him to leave the 2 sides going into the 2nd half on equal terms.
Shanklin took the lead on the hour mark through a glancing near post header from Maca Waterson (0-1).
5 minutes later, the Blues doubled their lead through a poacher’s goal from Ji Nash, who latched on to a loose ball in the W&B penalty area (0-2).
Finley Lloyd made victory certain for the away team when he connected with a long ball to score from the edge of the penalty area (0-3).
After the game, Shanklin manager Paul Haward said:
“We are delighted with the win. We rode our luck a bit in the 1st half after a fast start from W&B, but they failed to convert their chances. We were much better 2nd half, and we did take our chances and I think we deserved the 3 points.”
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Whitecroft & Barton still lead Isle of Wight Division 1 with 43 points from 16 games, 3 points ahead of Shanklin, who have 2 games in hand over the league leaders.
In other Division 1 games …
Bembridge 0-0 Cowes Sports Reserves
3rd placed Cowes Sports reserves were held to a goalless draw at Steyne Park by 10th-placed Bembridge. The Yachtsmen are 15 points behind leaders W&B with 28 points from 15 games.
Binstead & COB 0-4 West Wight
Goals from Gareth Bricknell, Louie Thomas, Charlie Smeeton (penalty) and Chris Elliot sealed a win for West Wight against one of their “bogey teams” at the Molehill.
Northwood St Johns 5-1 Brading Town
Northwood St Johns saw off Brading at the Isle of Wight Community Club with Jason Malcolmson scoring a brace and single goals from Vinny Morgan, Ollie Cousins and James Butt.
Sandown & Lake 1-1 Vectis
Sandown drew with Vectis at the Fairway Sports complex. Kieran Sibbick opened the scoring for Vectis with a 25-yard strike and the away side led 0-1 at half time. Sandown equalized in the 2nd half with a goal from Jake Lester.
In Division 2…
Ventnor remain top after knocking 11 goals past Seaview at Watcombe Bottom. Former Newport player Emerson Tattershall bagged 7 for the home side with his fellow former Newport teammate Charlie Urry scoring a hat trick. Goalkeeper Matthew Gifford also got on the scoresheet for Ventnor
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 26th November
Island Echo Challenge Cup
ECS 2-4 Pan Community
Harwoods Renault Division 1
Bembridge 0-0 Cowes Sports Reserves
Binstead & COB 0-4 West Wight
Northwood St Johns 5-1 Brading Town
Sandown & Lake 1-1 Vectis
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 0-3 Shanklin
Harwoods Renault Division 2
Carisbrooke United 12-2 Yarmouth & Calbourne
Ventnor 11-0 Seaview
Harwoods Combination 1
Shanklin 1-0 Brading Town
Oakfield 3-1 Bembridge
West Wight 5-0 Sandown & Lake
Harwoods Combination 2
AFC Wootton 4-6 Ryde Saints
Newchurch 0-7 Ventnor
Pan Community 1-8 Osborne Coburg
