Binstead lifted the Ryde & District Cup by defeating holders Oakfield on penalties following a draw in normal time at the Peter Henry Ground in Brading last night (Wednesday).
With a healthy crowd gathered for the final, Oakfield looked set to retain their crown when they twice led on the night, but Binstead showed resilience to battle back and force penalties before clinching victory in sudden death.
Binstead, attacking down the slope in the first half, looked to take the initiative, but it was Oakfield who came closest early on when Nathan ‘Sid’ Roberts struck the woodwork.
Binstead’s centre forward Sam Hart twice had chances to put his side ahead as the half wore on, first shooting narrowly wide and then blasting a further effort over the crossbar. Tension simmered when Josh Vaughan went into the referee’s book for simulation, leaving the forward walking a tightrope for the rest of the evening.
Oakfield drew first blood at the end of the half. In the first minute of stoppage time, Nick Gregory latched onto an Ollie Hammond through ball and kept his composure to finish past Josh Pietak in a one-on-one (1-0).
Half-time: Oakfield 1-0 Binstead.
Now attacking downhill, Oakfield looked to press home their lead, and Gregory almost struck again but fired over from a promising position. That miss proved costly as Binstead equalised soon after. Hart’s strike was parried by Oakfield goalkeeper Ben Woodford, and Cian McGee reacted quickest, driving the rebound into the net (1-1).
Oakfield responded almost immediately. Gregory found the net again to bag his brace (2-1). Roberts then forced a superb stop from Pietak to prevent Oakfield putting the tie beyond reach.
The holders’ failure to kill off the contest left the door open, and Binstead grabbed their chance late on. Oakfield keeper Woodford denied Ash Smith with 3 minutes to go, but in the first minute of added time, Jermaine Saunders rose at the near post to head home and level the tie once again (2-2).
Full-time: Oakfield 2-2 Binstead.
Oakfield’s hopes of retaining the cup then rested on penalties. Both sides converted three of their first five attempts, leaving the shootout finely balanced at 3-3. With sudden death required, it was Binstead who seized the moment. Tyler Thorne stepped up and calmly slotted home the decisive sixth penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Green Army supporters.
Penalties: Oakfield 3-4 Binstead (after 5 each, decided on 6th).
Oakfield were left to reflect on a night where they twice held the lead but could not see the game through, while Binstead’s persistence and nerve ultimately delivered the silverware.
Oakfield: B. Woodford, Gawn, Chessell, R Woodford, Wood, Lavell, Cowey, Hills, Roberts, Larbalestier, Gardener, May, Phillips, Hammond, Gregory, Follows (gk)
Binstead: Pietak, Hiorns, Woodhouse, Saunders, Bello, Brooks, McGee, Eldridge, Hart, Vaughan, Smith, Thorne, White, Murphy, Gambi, Linden
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