Shanklin have reached the final of the Memorial Cup after knocking 5 goals past Bembridge at Steyne Park on Saturday (7th May).
Shanklin had already reached the final of the Challenge Cup and are in contention for the Isle of Wight Division 1 title.
Both sides made use of Wessex League players: Scott Sampson (Newport) and Jez Conway (Cowes Sports) played for Bembridge and Ji Nash (Cowes Sports) for Shanklin.
The Seasiders began the game on the front foot when an unmarked Kyle Drew headed in a Nicky Vyse cross from 6 yards in the 7th minute (0-1). Charlie Broadbent then equalized for the home side after converting an Ant Kettell cross in the 17th minute (1-1). Shanklin came close to taking the lead a minute before half time when a Kyle Drew effort trickled narrowly past the upright.
Half time: Bembridge 1-1 Shanklin
The 2nd half began with a controversial goal from Wayne Newnham who appeared to have kicked the ball out of goalkeeper Josh Kernot’s hands, but referee Matt Sainsbury waved away the Bembridge protests (1-2). A few minutes later, Bembridge were reduced to 10 men when Scott Sampson was sinbinned for dissent.
George Carter-Knight made Shanklin victory certain, sending 2 superb strikes from the edge of the penalty area past Kernot in the 78th minute (1-3) and the 79th minute (1-4). Michael Brown then pulled a goal back for the home side with a poacher’s goal 4 minutes before the end of full time after Dan Ward could only parry a Jez Conway strike (2-4). 4 minutes into extra time, substitute Ji Nash made the score line flattering for Shanklin when he curled a shot past Kernot (2-5).
Full time: Bembridge 2-5 Shanklin
Bembridge: Kernot, S. Clark, Conway, Sampson, Dyer, Atkinson-Gough, A. Clark, Malin, Kettell, Brown, Broadbent Subs: Randall, Harris, Henderson
Shanklin: Ward, Wright, Newnham, Seabrook, Smythers, Young, Cook, Hill, Drew, Vyse, Carter-Knight Subs: Nash, Winterbottom, Sanderson
After the game, Bembridge manager Justin Malin said:
“I thought we were the better side first half, then the disputed goal changed the game. Shanklin punished us with some clinical finishing second half, they are a good side”
Shanklin now face Whitecroft & Barton on Wednesday evening (11th May) and Brading Town on Saturday (14th May). Victory in both games will see the Seasiders crowned Isle of Wight Division 1 Champions.
The Seasiders will then play 2 cup finals: the Memorial Cup Final against Brading Town on Tuesday 17th May and the Challenge Cup Final against either Binstead or W&B on Tuesday 24th May.
Ryde Saints 0-3 Whitecroft & Barton
In the only game to be played in Isle of Wight Division 1 on Saturday, W&B overcame Saints at Smallbrook with goals from Sam Yelland, Liam Slaven, and Aiden Sainsbury. Victory leaves W&B 5 points clear ahead of Shanklin at the top of Division 1. W&B need 1 point in their final game against Shanklin at the County Ground to retain their Division 1 title.
Saints remain 2nd-from-bottom in Division 1 with 10 points from 22 games. Relegation rivals Niton conceded their game against Brading Town on Saturday as they were unable to raise a side.
