VENTNOR TO LOCK HORNS WITH W&B IN ISLAND ECHO CHALLENGE CUP FINAL

In Saturday’s semi-finals of the Island Echo Challenge Cup, Ventnor beat Binstead on penalties at the Molehill while W&B narrowly overcame Bembridge at Sandy Lane.

BINSTEAD & COB 3-3 VENTNOR (Ventnor won 4-2 on penalties)

Division 1 newcomers Ventnor reached the Challenge Cup final despite twice falling behind. Ryan Marchbank opened the scoring for Binstead with a powerful strike from inside the penalty area (1-0). Prolific striker Emmerson Tattersall equalised for the away side with a 36th minute headed corner (1-1). Ventnor then took the lead going into the half time interval through a Charlie Urry penalty (1-2). Half time: Binstead & COB 1-2 Ventnor In the 2nd half, experienced midfielder Darren Powell headed Binstead back on level terms (2-2). Paul Dodds gave the home side the lead for the 2nd time in the game with an unstoppable shot (3-2). Tattersall then bagged his brace with a strike from the edge of the area 10 minutes from the full time whistle, taking the game to penalties (3-3). Full time: Binstead & COB 3-3 Ventnor The penalty shootout began badly for Ventnor with Charlie Urry missing the 1st kick. However, Jack Barsdell, Freddie Knowles, and Emmerson Tattersall made no mistakes, leaving Neo Lamb to score the winner. Ventnor keeper Max Gifford made 3 penalty stops to ensure the South Wight side reached the Island Echo Challenge Cup final. Penalties: Binstead & COB 2-4 Ventnor Binstead & COB: T. McInnes, Fretwell, Gallop, Powell, S. McInnes, Reece, Grandvionet, Dyer, Dodd, McGee, Marchbank Subs: Turner, Austin, Morley Ventnor: Barrow, R. Gee, S. Gee, Gifford (gk), Illman, Lamb H. Mulholland, S. Mulholland, Tattersall, Urry, Barsdell After the game, winning manager Gary Gee said:

“We found it tough to break Binstead down, as they were very well-organised. Although we were in the lead at half time, Binstead started the 2nd half better and deserved their 3-2 lead, but with our front line, I knew we would create chances and get the equaliser. “I’m very happy to reach a cup final in our first season back in Division 1. W&B will be very tough in the final as they have beaten us 3 times this season, but I’m always confident with the lads’ ability and desire. “You just never know in a final; we will give it our all.”

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WHITECROFT & BARTON SPORTS 1-0 BEMBRIDGE

Island Echo Challenge Cup holders W&B overcame Bembridge by a single goal in a scrappy game at Sandy Lane. W&B began brightly with Josh Appell striking the crossbar from a tight angle in the 2nd minute. Centre forward Appell was a thorn in the side of the Bembridge defence and had 2 good penalty appeals, having been brought down by Bembridge keeper Rory Day in the 5th and 21st minutes with no spot kick given. However, despite dominating the possession, W&B were unable to break down a stubborn and well-organised Bembridge side, and the 1st half finished goalless. Half time: W&B 0-0 Bembridge

W&B finally took the lead in the 47th minute when Sam Cant headed in a Josh Appell cross at the near post (1-0). The Challenge Cup holders created numerous chances for themselves with Kyle Drew forcing a strong save from Rory Day on the hour mark. In the 67th minute, Cant headed a corner onto the crossbar, following which the excellent Bembridge keeper fisted a further W&B header over the crossbar. Cant was unlucky for a 2nd time in the 72nd minute, when his curling shot hit the Bembridge upright. Bembridge always appeared capable of scoring on the break and in the 80th minute, captain Dexter Malin shot inches past the left post. The game finished with further chances for Appell, who had a shot stopped by Day 5 minutes from full time then had the ball robbed by Malin when clean through in stoppage time. Full time: W&B 1-0 Bembridge

W&B: True, Jackson, Evans, Yelland, Ovnik (c), Sainsbury, Lyon, Drew, Appell, Cant, Harper Subs: East, Rayner, Snaith Bembridge: Day, Broadbent, White, Ward, S. Clark, Wetherick, Kettell, A. Clark, Field, Malin (c), Calvert Subs: Venn, Chessell, Roberts After the game, losing manager Justin Malin said:

“We’re really proud of the boys, who on the day were excellent and gave everything. W&B overall did deserve to win the game with the better chances, but we were always in the game and just needed to take one of the chances we had, to take it to a penalty shoot out. “We couldn’t ask for more from our lads, we had some of our biggest players missing, lost both our fullbacks to injury during the game, but still the lads never gave up and pushed till the end.”

Isle of Wight results for Saturday 3rd February

Challenge Cup semi-finals Binstead & COB 3-3 Ventnor Ventnor won 4-2 on penalties W & B Sports 1-0 Bembridge                                        Harwoods Division 1 East Cowes Sports 1-0 Cowes Sports Reserves Division 2 Niton Community 3-1 Ryde Saints Combination 1 Brading Town Reserves 3-1 Sandown & Lake Reserves Northwood SJ Reserves 4-1 Vectis Reserves Osborne Coburg Reserves 1-2 Ventnor Reserves Shanklin Reserves 1-1 W & B Sports Reserves Combination 2 High Park Reserves 4-1 Newchurch Reserves Ryde Saints Reserves 1-4 AFC Wootton Reserves