Ventnor FC have won Isle of Wight Combination 2 after beating closest rivals Osborne Coburg at Northwood Park on Saturday (25th February).
Ventnor’s victory has left them 5 points clear with their opponents having only 1 game left to play, making it impossible for Osborne Coburg to win the league.
The 1st half was an even affair, with good defending resulting in neither team having a clear shot on target. Ventnor should have been 1-0 up after a corner was bundled over the line in a mele, but the referee did not agree it had crossed the line ….
Half time: Osborne Coburg 0-0 Ventnor
The 2nd half of the match was more exciting. Deservedly, Osborne took the lead (1-0) as Ventnor did not start well after half-time. Within minutes, Ventnor got back into the game through superbly taken back post header by Callum after Carl delivered an inch-perfect free kick (1-1).
Ventnor manager James decided to make numerous attacking substitutions despite the match being in the balance, and the game changed. Some fantastic 2- and 3-touch football through the centre of the pitch resulted in Euan receiving the ball in the inside right half space, and he played an inch perfect pass for Nath to run onto and finish calmly (1-2)
Within 5 minutes, Osborne had broken down the other end and scored from a corner of their own to make it 2-2.
Around 10 to 15 minutes of nervous football followed. Both teams were not sure if they should attack or defend and hold what they had. But an attack down out right wing saw Ventnor captain Ant in possession in the corner of the box. He smartly Cruyff-turned his defender, who dragged him down for a penalty. Despite Osborne trying their best to put him off, Kieron finish calmly once again, finding the top corner of the net and made it 3-2 to Ventnor.
The last 5 minutes were extremely tense until Scott got hold of the ball inside the box, turned fantastically and finished into the bottom corner…
Full time: Osborne Coburg 2-4 Ventnor
Ventnor scorers: Kieron Illman, Scott Thomas, Nath Barlow, Callum Illman
Ventnor Man-of-the-match: Ant Winch
Report kindly supplied by Ventnor FC
In the Gold Cup …
Northwood St Johns 0-1 West Wight
West Wight overcame Northwood St Johns at the Isle of Wight Community Centre thanks to a strike from George Saunders. Charlie Smeeton had a penalty saved by Northwood captain Andy Payne. West Wight play East Cowes Vics at Camp Road in the quarter finals.
In Division 1 ….
Shanklin 5-1 ECS
Champions Shanklin remain 6 points clear at the top of the table after knocking 5 past East Cowes Sports at the County Ground. The scorers for the Seasiders were George Carter-Knight, Ryan Gregory, Brad Young, Ryan Hill plus an own goal. The Blues remain unbeaten in the league in the season to date.
Brading Town 1-2 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
W&B continue to snap at the heels of Shanklin after winning 1-2 at Vicarage Lane courtesy of a goal from Joe Rayner and a last minute strike from Jack East. Jacob Treagus was on target for the Romans, who had led at half time.
Pan Community 3-6 Vectis
Vectis beat Pan at Downside thanks to braces from Jamie Barratt and Ben Cutts, and further strikes from Cameron Hernes and Mash Wherry.
Binstead & COB 1-4 Bembridge
Bembridge were victorious at the Molehill. Scott Sampson scored a brace for Bembridge, with Stu Clark and Lewis Parker Meadows also on the scoresheet for the away side.
Sandown & Lake 6-2 Ryde Saints
In the battle of the bottom 2, Sandown overcame Saints at the Fairway. Ross Lacey and Jake Lester both bagged braces for the home side, the other goals coming courtesy of Ollie Parkinson and 16-year-old Eddie Johnson (his 1st senior goal).
In Division 2 …
Ventnor have gone 3 points clear at the top of the table after beating 3rd-placed East Cowes Vics 2-1 at Watcombe Bottom. Emerson Tattershall and Charlie Urry were on target for Ventnor.
2nd-placed High Park are snapping at Ventnor’s heels after 2-1 win against Osborne Coburg at Steyne Park. Zak Younie scored both goals for the Park.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 25th February
The Harwoods Dacia Isle of Wight Senior (Gold) Cup
2nd Round
Northwood St Johns 0-1 West Wight
Harwoods Renault IOW Saturday League Division 1
Binstead & COB 1-4 Bembridge
Brading Town 1-2 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Cowes Sports Reserves A-W Oakfield
Pan Community 3-6 Vectis
Sandown & Lake 6-2 Ryde Saints
Shanklin 5-1 ECS
Division 2
Carisbrooke United 3-3 AFC Wootton
High Park 2-1 Osborne Coburg
Niton Community 4-2 Newchurch
Ventnor 2-1 East Cowes Vics Reserves
Combination Division 1
ECS 0-1 Northwood St Johns
Vectis 3-0 Brading Town
West Wight 7-0 Binstead & COB
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 2-1 Shanklin
Combination Division 2
Bembridge ‘A’ 2-1 Pan Community
Osborne Coburg 2-4 Ventnor
Results courtesy of IOW DFA
Ventnor ressies look like the goonies