A young and well-organised Stoneham side knocked 5 past the Romans at Vicarage Lane in Saturday’s semi-final (12th March).
Stoneham looked the sharper side from the start of the contest despite some fierce tackling and strong competitive commitment from the Brading side.
The Purples opened the scoring in the 12th minute through a 5-yard tap in from Ben Backhurst (0-1).
The away side’s pacy centre forward Kevin N’Gombi then had 2 opportunities to increase the away side’s lead, having a shot blocked by Brading goalkeeper Ben Gearing before shooting over the crossbar. In the 25th minute, the Purples’ full back Hammerton shot just past the upright with the goal at his mercy and winger James Lea just failed to connect with a header 5 yards from the Brading goal line.
In the 29th minute, Brading put themselves back in the game when Jacob Treagus sent a through ball to Barry Calvert for the forward to put the ball in the back of the net from 10 yards (1-1).
The Purples continued to attack relentlessly with Kevin N’Gombi striking the ball past Ben Gearing from just inside the penalty area in the 35th minute (1-2), then setting up no 7 Cleary to score in 1st half stoppage time (1-3)
Half time: Brading Town 1-3 Stoneham Reserves
Stoneham continued from where they had left off in the 2nd half with centre forward N’Gombi breaking through immediately after the half time break but falling over in a promising position on the slippery surface. A minute later, N’Gombi set up Cleary to score his 2nd of the game (1-4).
In the 49th minute, the Romans struck back with Jacob Treagus backheeling into the Stoneham net from a corner (2-4).
The Purples then killed the game as a contest when the skilful Ngombi set up James Lea to score (2-5).
The Romans threw on their substitutes and continued to battle until the final whistle. In the 70th minute skipper Dan Vale saw his powerful shot crash off the woodwork of the Stoneham goal. Finally, in the 90th minute, Vale scored a well-deserved consolation goal with a sliding strike from the middle of the penalty area.
Full time: Brading Town 3-5 Stoneham Reserves
Brading Town: Gearing, Ranson, Hanmore, Treagus, Shaw, Hitchcox, Lawson, Oatley, Vale (c), Calvert, Bennett. Subs: Sayers, Chugg, Page (all used)
After the game, Roman’s manager Steve Lawton said:
“The better team won on the day. I’m proud of all the lads – to get to the semis was a massive achievement – especially when you consider only 3 of today’s players started the final last year. There’s still lots to play for and a lot of games as well.”
In Isle of Wight Division 1 …
Bembridge 5-2 Sandown & Lake
At Steyne Park, Bembridge beat Sandown & Lake 5-2 courtesy of a Charlie Broadbent hat trick and a goal apiece from Stu Clark and Shem Michail.
Binstead & COB 2-0 West Wight
Binstead were victorious at the Molehill thanks to strikes from veteran ex-Newport midfielder Darren Powell and Sam Hart.
Northwood St Johns 0-5 Whitecroft & Barton
Leaders W&B consolidated their grip on the Division 1 title by knocking 5 past Northwood at the Isle of Wight Community Club. The scorers for W&B were Sam Yelland (2), Matt Evans, Liam Slaven and Josh Appell.
Shanklin 2-0 Vectis
2nd-placed Shanklin saw off Vectis at the County Ground, their goals coming from Pete Wilson and Nicky Vyse.
In the Junior A Cup …
Whitecroft & Barton Reserves 1-2 Pan Community
Pan triumphed against W&B at Sandy Lane. W&B led 1-0 at half time after taking the lead through Jack Ewbank. However, 2 goals from Josh Gwilliam (1 a penalty) saw Pan through to the semi-final in which they will play Adgestone at Downside.
Wessex League results for Saturday 12th March:
Premier Division:
Cowes Sports 1-1 Blackfield & Langley
Division 1:
Fleet Spurs v Newport IoW
Verwood Town 3-0 East Cowes Vics
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 12th March 2022
Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy – Semi Final
Brading Town 3-5 AFC Stoneham Reserves
The Ken Morris IOW Junior ‘A’ Cup
Sponsored by the Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League – 3rd Round
Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 1-2 Pan Community
The UNISON Isle of Wight Junior ‘B’ Cup 2nd Round
Ventnor Reserves 2-2 Bembridge ‘A’
Bembridge won on penalties
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Bembridge 5-2 Sandown & Lake
Binstead & COB 2-0 West Wight
Northwood St Johns 0-5 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Ryde Saints P-P Oakfield
Shanklin 2-0 Vectis
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 2
AFC Wootton 2-2 Carisbrooke United
Adgestone 3-1 Seaview
East Cowes Vics Reserves 6-3 Osborne Coburg
Newchurch 0-3 High Park
Wroxall 1-3 Yarmouth & Calbourne
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 1
Oakfield H-W Osborne Coburg
Sandown & Lake P-P Northwood St Johns
Shanklin 2-5 Brading Town
West Wight P-P Bembridge
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Combination Division 2
Carisbrooke United 3-1 Newchurch
East Cowes Sports 6-1 AFC Wootton
Results courtesy of Isle of Wight DFA
