Whitecroft & Barton Sports and Shanklin both remain unbeaten at the top of Isle of Wight Division 1 but have lost their 100% records after a goalless draw at the County Ground on Saturday (15th October).
The much-anticipated clash between the 2 top Isle of Wight League sides was unfortunately a dull and scrappy affair for the 200 or so spectators present.
Shanklin had most of the possession and chances but were unable to get past W&B goalkeeper Gareth True and his resolute and well-organised defence.
The Seasiders 1st opportunity came in the 17th minute when Ji Nash latched on to a Nicky Vyse cross and blasted the ball inches over the crossbar from 5 yards. 8 minutes later, Nicky Vyse headed a quickly taken corner just over the bar.
W&B had their 1st scoring chance in the 28th minute when Freddie Knowles shot just past the right post. 2 minutes later, Ryan Gregory sent the ball inches past Gareth True’s right upright.
Half time: Shanklin 0-0 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
The 2nd half continued in much the same manner as the 1st with plenty of Shanklin pressure but no finishing touch.
Shanklin’s 1st opportunity to score came shortly after the restart when Jason Smythers forced True into making a good save with his feet. Shortly after, Nicky Vyse directed a long-range shot over the crossbar.
The best chance for either side to break the deadlock came on the hour mark when Freddie Knowles beat the Shanklin offside trap but sent the ball wide with only Shanklin goalkeeper Jamie Linington to beat.
Brad Young was becoming influential for Shanklin, having a shot stopped by True in the 65th minute and sending the ball just over the crossbar in the 85th.
The game ended with a series of Shanklin corners. Their best strike came from George Carter-Knight 2 minutes from full time, which Gareth True deftly deflected over the crossbar.
Full time: Shanklin 0-0 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Shanklin: Linington, Turner, Smythers, Young, Newnham, Gregory, Cook, Drew, Vyse, Nash, Carter-Knight Subs: Field, Hill, Oatley
W&B: True, Williams, Martin, White, Ovnik, Sainsbury, Yelland, Wright, Appell, Knowles, Harper Subs: Calvert, Lambert, Slaven
The draw leaves W&B top of Division 1 with 24 points from 12 games, 3 points ahead of current champions Shanklin.
In other Division 1 games …
Oakfield 2-5 Cowes Sports Reserves
4th-placed Cowes Sports Reserves beat the Oakers at Slade Road thanks to braces from Josh Neale and Dan Pearson and a single goal from Arthur Balchin. Josh Neale later went on to play as a substitute for Cowes Sports in their Wessex League tie against Hythe & Dibden at Westwood Park.
Vectis 4-2 Sandown & Lake
11th-placed Vectis defeated 2nd-from-bottom Sandown & Lake courtesy of goals from man-of-the-match Darren Wood, Louis Newsham, Harry Symes and Ben Cutts.
In the Gold Cup …
Bembridge 2-3 Binstead & COB
Binstead go into the next round of the Gold Cup by getting past Bembridge at Steyne Park by the best of 5 goals. The scorers for Binstead were Jamie Dyer, Lewis Wetherick and Sam Hart.
West Wight 2-1 ECS
West Wight find themselves in the draw for the 2nd round of the Gold Cup after overcoming ECS at Camp Road. Louie Thomas and Charlie Smeeton got the goals for West Wight; both goals were set up by George Saunders.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 15th October 2022
Harwoods Garage Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup – 1st Round
Bembridge 2-3 Binstead & COB
West Wight 2-1 ECS
The Junior ‘A’ Cup – First Round
East Cowes Vics Reserves 3-1 Carisbrooke United
Newchurch 1-3 Ventnor
Northwood St Johns Reserves 1-1 ECS Reserves
ECS won on penalties
Sandown & Lake Reserves 2-6 AFC Wootton
Seaview 1-4 Brading Town Reserves
Harwoods Renault Division 1
Brading Town 7-0 Ryde Saints
Oakfield 2-5 Cowes Sports Reserves
Shanklin 0-0 Whitecroft & Barton Sports
Vectis 4-2 Sandown & Lake
Harwoods Renault Division 2
High Park 6-0 Yarmouth & Calbourne
Niton Community 2-3 Osborne Coburg
Harwoods Renault Combination 1
Binstead & COB 3-2 Bembridge
Whitecroft & Barton Sports H-W Oakfield
Harwoods Renault Combination 2
AFC Wootton 2-2 Newchurch
Osborne Coburg 2-1 Niton Community
Ryde Saints 2-2 Bembridge ‘A’
