Whitecroft & Barton Sports kept the pressure up on Division 1 front runners Shanklin by seeing off West Wight at Sandy Lane on Saturday afternoon.
W&B were bolstered by the appearance of Newport’s Martin McDonough in a red shirt.
The game began with an incredible Gordon Banksesque save by W&B keeper Kev Mitchell from the head of West Wight captain Ash Brett.
However, after an early scare, normal service was resumed for W&B in a game they dominated.
In the 15th minute, West Wight keeper Monk was called into action to save an Aidan Sainsbury free kick. The home side then won a succession of corners but were unable to get past a stubborn West Wight defence.
Monk then made an excellent save from Lambert; Lambert sent the ball over the crossbar; Josh Appell shot just past the left post.
The breakthrough for the home side came a minute before the half time interval when Liam Harper sent a low shot from the edge of the penalty area past an outstretched Monk and into the back of the net (1-0).
Half time: Whitecroft & Barton Sports 1-0 West Wight
W&B continued in the ascendancy after the half time break. In the 49th minute, Liam Harper had a shot deflected just past the left post. The resulting corner was directed into the West Wight net by the head of W&B captain Sam Yelland (2-0).
In the 56th minute, an inch perfect cross from Joe Rayner was met by the boot of Matt Evans to give W&B a 3-goal advantage (3-0).
The home side continued to harry their opponents with further chances falling to Nathan Martin, who shot just past the left post and Josh Appell, who had a fierce strike parried by Monk.
However, W&B were unable to score further goals against a West Wight side which probably had their minds on Wednesday evening’s crucial Gold Cup semi final against Cowes.
Full time: Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3-0 West Wight
Whitecroft & Barton Sports: Mitchell, Lambert, Martin, K, Sainsbury, McDonough, A. Sainsbury, Yelland. Rayner, Appell, Evans, Harper Subs: East, Wright, Calvert
West Wight: Monk, Simmonds, Carey, Burgess, Brett, McFarlane, Phillips, Moore, Saunders, Smeeton, Thomas Subs: Millar, Bricknell, Elliott
Before the game, there was a minute’s applause for W&B stalwart Dave Grace.
Whitecroft & Barton Sports have written
“Everyone at Whitecroft & Barton Sports would like to send their heartfelt condolences to Patsy, Mat, Katie and the family of Dave Grace, who sadly passed away this week. Dave was a long time committee member and faithful helper and volunteer of the club for many years.”
W&B’s victory still leaves them 3 points behind top-of-the-table Shanklin with 3 games of the season remaining.
Division 1 table below:
Shanklin 3-0 Binstead & COB
Unbeaten Shanklin saw off Binstead at the County Ground courtesy of goals from Ryan Gregory, Jordy Cook and Pete Wilson to maintain their 3 point advantage over closest rivals W&B.
In other games …
Sandown have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation by putting 4 goals past Pan at the Fairway; a much improved young Vectis side were held to a goalless draw by Brading Town at Cowes Enterprise College.
Sadly, 2 games – Northwood St Johns v Oakfield and Ryde Saints v Cowes Sports Reserves – were not played as neither of the Ryde teams could raise a side.
It was a similar story in Division 2. Champions Ventnor were awarded a walkover win against Wootton, who were also short of players.
No doubt Wootton will be able to field a full side when they play Ventnor in the final of the Junior A cup on Thursday evening.
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 22nd April
Division 1:
Sandown & Lake 4-1 Pan Community
Shanklin 3-0 Binstead & COB
Vectis 0-0 Brading Town
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 3-0 West Wight
Combination 1
Brading Town 2-3 Northwood St Johns
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 0-0 West Wight
