Whitecroft & Barton Sports have gone top of Isle of Wight Division 1 with a dramatic late winner at Shanklin on Saturday (15th November), taking advantage of 2nd-placed West Wight having their game postponed.
W&B – the reigning Isle of Wight champions – began strongly and should have taken the lead in the 2nd minute when Sam Cant missed an open goal from close range. They controlled much of the opening period, although Shanklin looked dangerous on the counter, with Rory Day heading against the upright on 26 minutes.
Cant made amends in the 37th minute when he headed the visitors ahead.
Half time: Shanklin 0-1 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Shanklin improved after the break and pushed higher up the pitch, increasing their pressure late on when Cant was sinbinned, leaving the visitors with just 10 men. The home side’s persistence was rewarded when substitute Lewis Parsons levelled in the closing minutes with a scuffed effort that beat W&B keeper Joe Williams.
However, Whitecroft & Barton struck deep into injury time when Dan Pearson headed in a Harry Taylor cross to secure the victory and move his side above West Wight, who were without a game.
Full time: Shanklin 1-2 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Shanklin: Goldsmith, Drudge, Wilson, Stuber, Field, Gregory, Trowbridge, Flux, Field, Day, White. Subs: Parsons, Builth, Little.
Whitecroft & Barton Sports: Williams, Lyon, J. Wright, Martin, Jackson, Sainsbury, Yelland, Cant, Green, Pearson, A. Wright. Subs: Taylor, Benford, Lambert.
Whitecroft & Barton Sports now lead Isle of Wight Division 1 with 28 points from a possible 30. West Wight remain 2nd, while Shanklin stay 7th with 10 points from 9 games.
PHOTOS:
In other games…
Bembridge & Vectis 5-0 Oakfield
Michael Brown bagged a brace, and Jake McNaney, Ben Cutts and substitute Aaron Shepherd also appeared on the score sheet, as 5th-placed Bembridge blasted 5 past 2nd-from-bottom Oakfield at Steyne Park.
Osborne Coburg 2-2 Cowes Sports Reserves
Brad Kenning scored 2 first half goals for the home side, as bottom club Osborne Coburg drew with 3rd placed Cowes Sports Reserves at Victoria Rec. Luke Smallwood and Joe Calder were on target for the Yachtsmen
The game between Ventnor and Brading Town was abandoned in the 2nd half when Ventnor’s keeper Ollie Page sufferred from concussion following a head injury. Thankfully, he has now been discharged from St Mary’s hospital. Brading Town were winning 1-2 when the game was abandoned, courtesy of 2nd half goals from Aaron Bennett and Scott Lawson, with Harley Kennett the Ventnor scorer.
At Camp Road, West Wight’s game against Northwood St Johns was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
In Division 2…
Binstead & COB 7-0 Seaview
Scott Jones scored 4 goals and Ash Smith grabbed a hat trick as 2nd-placed Binstead blasted 7 past bottom club Seaview at the Molehill.
Niton 1-1 East Cowes Victoria Reserves
Lewis Evans was on target for 6th-placed Niton, with James Cheek scoring the equaliser for 4th-placed Vics 10 minutes from full time, as the game at Springhead finished honours even.
Pan Community 4-2 Newchurch
Evergreen Keith Rust bagged a brace for 7th-placed Newchurch, as they were beaten by 2nd-from-bottom Pan at Clatterford Rec – Pan’s first 3 points of the season to date.
Sandown & Lake 1-0 Ryde Saints
A 49th-minute strike from Alex Breingan was sufficient for leaders Sandown to overcome 8th-placed Ryde Saints. Sandown are 4 points ahead of Binstead at the top of the table but have played one more game.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 15th November
Harwoods Division 1
Bembridge & Vectis 5-0 Oakfield
Osborne Coburg 2-2 Cowes Sports Reservesgad
Shanklin 1-2 W&B
Ventnor A-A Brading Town
West Wight P-P Northwood SJ
Division 2
Binstead & COB 7-0 Seaview
Niton 1-1 East Cowes Victoria Reserves
Pan Community 4-2 Newchurch
Sandown & Lake 1-0 Ryde Saints
Combination 1
High Park Reserves 3-5 Bembridge & Vectis Reserves
Sandown & Lake Reserves 3-0 West Wight Reserves
Ventnor Reserves A-A Shanklin Reserves
W&B Reserves 1-1 ECS Reserves
Combination 2
High Park A 8-1 Ventnor A
Newchurch Reserves 0-9 Sandown & Lake A
