What appeared to be a serious injury to a Niton player during Saturday’s match between Oakfield and Niton – the leading contenders in Island League 2 – led to the abandonment of the fixture after 25 minutes.
The game started with a minute’s silence to mourn the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Oakfield then raced into an early lead with goals from Robert Gee (5m), Martin Barrow (10m) and a penalty by Jake Keetch (15m).
There then followed the incident that led to the end of the afternoon’s action when a Niton player went for a header but landed badly, injuring his leg. An ambulance was called but after a delay of over 20 minutes referee Ian Smith chose to abandon the game with the player still lying injured on the middle of the pitch.
It was feared that the player concerned may have broken his leg. However, it is now understood that the accident resulted in torn ligaments in his ankle.
Oakfield remain top of Division 2, with a 100% record of 33 points from 11 games. Niton are second with 27 points from 10 games.
Given that the season must be completed by the end of May, and there is no possibility of replaying abandoned games, it is possible that the Isle of Wight FA may allow the result to stand as a home win.
Oakfield 3-0 Niton (match abandoned after 25 minutes)
In Island League Division 1, Shanklin continued to set the pace at the top of the table with a 2-0 win against Northwood St John at the County Ground, with both goals coming from East Cowes Vics forward, Ji Nash.
Second placed Whitecroft & Barton Sports maintained the pressure on the leaders with a 0-3 away win against Cowes Sports Reserves at Westwood Park, a side they had beaten 1-0 midweek. The win was the more impressive for the fact that the Yachtsmen had included a number of first team regulars in their side, including Fin Phillips, Scott McFarlane and goalkeeper, Ed Hatt. The scorers for W&B were: Fred Knowles, Josh Appell and former Vics and Newport centre-forward, Charlie Urry.
3rd placed Brading, who had beaten Ventnor 9-0 earlier in the week, continued with their free scoring ways with a 5-1 victory against Vectis at Vicarage Lane. The scorers for Brading were: Aaron Bennett (2), Valer, Jordan Browne and George Colson.
Shanklin currently top Island League 1, with 31 points from 12 games. W&B lie second with 30 points, and Brading Town are in 3rd place, with 25 points and a game in hand.
On Tuesday, Shanklin face W&B at the County Ground in a game that will possibly decide the destination of the Isle of Wight League 1 title this season. A full report of the game will appear on Island Echo.
Harwoods Renault Island League football results for Saturday 10th April:
Division1: Binstead & COB 0, Bembridge 2; Brading Town 5, Vectis 1; Cowes Sports Reserves 0, Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3; Ryde Saints 7, Carisbrooke United 2; Shanklin 2, Northwood St John 0; Ventnor 0, ECS 2; West Wight 2, Sandown 0.
Division 2: Wootton 2, Osborne Coburg 2; Oakfield v Niton Community (match abandoned after 30 minutes); Pan Sports 6, Newchurch 0; Newport A 2, Seaview 6; Yarmouth & Calbourne 2, Adgestone 1.
Fixtures for Tuesday 13th April:
Division 1: Brading Town v Bembridge; Cowes Sports Reserves v Ventnor; Northwood St John v ECS; Sandown v Carisbrooke United; Shanklin v Whitecroft & Barton Sports; West Wight v Binstead & COB.
Division 2: Wootton v Adgestone; Niton Communty v Newport A; Osborne Coburg v Newchurch; Pan Sports v Oakfield; Wroxall v Seaview.
This Tuesday (13th April), 1 Island Wessex League club will be returning to senior football action, with East Cowes Vics playing at Hythe & Dibden in the Hampshire Invitational Cup.
The IOW FA are playing games every Weekend and Midweek to the end of the Season, which still leaves 14 available dates.
I find it hard to believe they could not fit in 10 Games for Niton, which includes the Oakfield Fixture!
I cannot believe that 3-0 after 25 Minutes would be accepted as a Final Score. After all, I imagine most Football Fans will still remember Liverpool’s comeback against AC Milan in a recent European Cup Final for one.
It is unfortunate with what happened, But I am sure both sides would still want the opportunity to play the fixture again to ensure a Satisfactory completion to the League Season is achieved.
Or the Niton player should have been picked up and carried off the pitch so the game could finish, let’s be realistic you know when you have a broken leg.