The 1st Saturday of the Isle of Wight football season (12th August) saw wins in Division 1 for last season’s champions Shanklin and runners up Whitecroft & Barton Sports.
Division 1:
Bembridge 3-2 ECS
Bembridge won their opening fixture against East Cowes Sports at Steyne Park by the best of 5 goals despite missing a 1st half penalty. Harrison Ward netted a brace for the home side with Bembridge’s other goal coming courtesy of Rory Day.
Binstead & Cob 0-1 Shanklin
Champions Shanklin got their season off to a winning start under returning manager Ian Bennett by beating Binstead at the Molehill with Sam Collings scoring the only goal of the game.
Cowes Sports Reserves 2-0 Brading Town
The Yachtsmen began their season on the front foot at Westwood Park by getting the better of Brading, who are under the new management of Will Dallimer. Both Cowes goals came from the boot of George Holmes.
High Park 0-6 Whitecroft & Barton
Much-fancied W&B got their season off to a flying start by trouncing Division 1 new boys High Park at Steyne Park. Aidan Sainsbury, Harry Ovnik, Kyle Drew, Joe Rayner and Sam Cant were all on target for last season’s runners up with the 6th goal being scored by a High Park player.
Ventnor 3-5 Northwood St Johns
Last Season’s Division 2 champions Ventnor lost their opening game at Watcombe Bottom despite scoring 3 times through Freddie Knowles, Charlie Urry and Emmerson Tattersall. Arrun Ince bagged a brace for the visitors with the other goals coming courtesy of Callum Bowen-Clarke, Joe Tigwell and John Bilton.
West Wight 4-5 Vectis
Braces from Jamie Barratt and Ben Cutts plus a strike from Louis Newsham saw Vectis beat West Wight in a 9-goal thriller at Camp Road. The away side were 1-5 up with 10 minutes to go but managed to concede 3 in the nervous final few minutes of the game. Chris Elliot, Josh Daley, Darren williams and Grorge Saunders were all on target for West Wight.
Division 2:
Oakfield 0-13 AFC Wootton
Wootton put 13 goals past the Oakers at Slade road courtesy of hat tricks from Macca Barnes and Aaron Burford, a brace from Keaton Clinton and further goals from Harris Payne, Josh Collins, Finn Peacey, James Cunningham and an own goal.
Seaview 2-4 Sandown and Lake
Sandown & Lake overcame Seaview thanks to a brace from Jake Lester and further strikes from Sonny Mulholland and Kai Westmore.
In the 2 other Division 1 games played on Saturday, Newport Reserves won their 1st-ever Division 2 game by beating Newchurch 0-3 at Watery Lane; Niton beat Ryde Saints at Smallbrook by the same score line.
Sadly, Osborne Coburg were awarded a walkover victory against Carisbrooke United, who were unable to raise a side.
