Unbeaten champions W&B remained top of the Harwoods-Renault Isle of Wight Saturday League league after beating High Park at Sandy Lane on Saturday.
The opening goal came in the 13th minute, though not in the way W&B supporters might have hoped when High Park’s John Robjant turned a strike from Alex Wright into his own net, giving the home side an early lead (1-0). Alex Wright was then taken off injured, to be replaced by Dan Pearson, who would later make a decisive impact
Despite dominating possession and territory for much of the first half, W&B were held to a single goal by a resilient High Park defence, with goalkeeper Sol Carson putting in a strong performance.
Half time: W&B 1-0 High Park
The second half saw the champions pull away. In the 58th minute, Billy Gladdis finished a cross from Pearson by deftly lifting the ball over Carson (2-0). Six minutes later, Pearson added a stunning lob from distance to make it 3-0. The scoring was completed in the 65th minute when Aidan Sainsbury’s free kick caught the High Park defence off guard (4-0).
High Park had a rare chance to reduce the deficit when Freddie Knowles fired a long-range strike, but goalkeeper Gareth True produced a remarkable save to preserve W&B’s clean sheet.
Full time: W&B 4-0 High Park
W&B: True, Gladdis, Martin, Hackshaw, Jackson, Sainsbury, Yelland, Wright (Pearson 16’), Green, Cant, Frost. Subs: Lambert, Foster, Pearson.
High Park: Carson, Dibsdale, Malpas, Spink, Galloway, Kilroy, Robjant, Bates, Goodwin, Knowles, Saunders. Subs: Josh Barnes, Alex Harvey.
After the game, W&B manager Paul O’Connor said:
“We had a tough start to the season but are now happy to be top of the league after 4 games. After a lacklustre first half we came out guns blazing in the second half. I was pleased with our performance after the break.”
W&B remain unbeaten at the top of the league with 13 points from five games. High Park are in 9th place with 3 points from four games.
In other games…
Bembridge & Vectis 4-1 Brading Town
A first half hat-trick from Micheal Brown and a further strike from Kieron Sibbick saw 4th-placed Bembridge beat 6th-placed Brading at Vicarage Lane. Alex Boirand scored the consolation for the visitors.
Northwood SJ 0-2 Cowes Sports
The Yachtsmen – currently sitting in 5th place – won the Cowes derby against 2nd-from-bottom Northwood at the Community Club courtesy of goals from Billy Backshall and Euan St John Biggs.
Ventnor 5-0 Osborne Coburg
Emerson Tattersall scored a hat trick with Sonny Mulholland and Liam Harper also on target as 2nd-placed Ventnor put 5 past bottom club Osborne Coburg at Watcombe Bottom. The Ventnor captain has now netted 11 times in 5 games.
In Division 2…
ECS 4-2 Niton
Table topping East Cowes Sports beat Niton at the GKN Sports Ground thanks to an Andrew Ebbs brace and further strikes from Tom McDowell and Gary Richardson.
Newchurch 1-2 Sandown & Lake
Sandown & Lake defeated Newchurch at Watery Lane courtesy of a late goal from Alex Breingan after Ethan Dicker had put the away side into the lead and Joe Brooks equalised for the home team.
Pan Community 2-3 Binstead & COB
Zak Sullivan, Matt Walter and Paul Dodd were on target for Binstead as they beat Pan at Clatterford Rec.
Seaview 1-6 East Cowes Victoria Reserves
An East Cowes Victoria side – including 1st team captain Liam Newbold and a further 3 first team regulars – put 6 past bottom club Seaview with the goals provided by Aedan Coode (x2), Cruz Wragg, Toby Snow, Kudzi Mazambara and Liam Newbold.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 13th September
Harwoods Division 1:
Bembridge & Vectis 4-1 Brading Town
Northwood SJ 0-2 Cowes Sports
Ventnor 5-0 Osborne Coburg
W&B 4-0 High Park
Division 2:
ECS 4-2 Niton
Newchurch 1-2 Sandown & Lake
Pan Community 2-3 Binstead & COB
Seaview 1-6 East Cowes Victoria Reserves
Combination 1:
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 0-1 W&B Reserves
High Park Reserves 4-4 Brading Town Reserves
Shanklin Reserves 6-0 Osborne Coburg Reserves
Ventnor Reserves 2-4 Oakfield Reserves
Combination 2:
Binstead & COB Reserves 5-1 Newchurch Reserves
High Park A 5-1 Bembridge & Vectis A
