Whitecroft & Barton Sports have reached the final of the Island Echo Challenge Cup by putting 6 goals past Brading Town at Sandy Lane yesterday evening (Wednesday).
The Roman’s cause was not helped by their lacking a regular goalkeeper with Charlie Page donning the gloves for the away side.
Brading began the game on the front foot with Aaron Bennett putting the away side into the lead in the 10th minute with a close range near post strike (0-1).
Liam Harper responded for the home side in the 15th minute by taking 2 attempts to beat Charlie Page from the right side of the penalty area (1-1).
A minute later, teenage striker Finn Smith came close to regaining the Romans’ lead but had his goal attempt stopped by Mitchell.
W&B took the lead in the 18th minute when Joe Rayner flicked on a long throw to Liam Harper, who bagged his brace by burying the ball in the back of the net (2-1).
The home side’s 3rd came in the 20th minute courtesy of a Harry Ovnik header from an Aidan Sainsbury corner (3-1).
Liam Harper came close to getting his hat trick in the 25th but had his shot blocked by hard-working substitute keeper Page.
5 minutes from halftime, W&B centre forward Josh Appell joined the party by powering the ball past Page at the near post after picking up a long throw (4-1).
Appell then bagged his brace in 1st half injury time after taking 2 shots to beat the luckless Page after cantering down the left side of the pitch (5-1).
Half time: W&B 5-1 Brading Town
It appeared W&B might win by a cricket score at the halftime break. However, in a 2nd half of fewer chances, the Romans prevented W&B from adding to their tally until a minute before full-time.
10 minutes before the final whistle, Josh Appell sent the ball over the Brading Town crossbar. With 5 minutes left on the watch, Liam Harper failed to complete his hat trick by shooting just wide. Finally, Josh Appell sent a curling shot past Page in the 89th minute to complete his hat trick (6-1).
Full time: W&B 6-1 Brading Town
W&B: Mitchell, Lambert, Martin, Williams, Ovnik, Sainsbury, Yelland, Rayner, Appell, Evans, Harper Subs: Calvert, Adams, East
Brading Town: Page, Williams, Hutcheson, Shaw, Knowles, Connor, Lawson, Wilson, Vale, Bennett, Smith Subs: Paine, Worboyes, Morey
After the game, winning Whitecroft & Barton manager Gareth True said:
“After conceding an early goal, it was a comfortable victory. Going behind made us up our game.”
Romans manager Steve Lawton said:
“It was a disappointing performance, not helped by the fact we had no keeper and players dropping out on the day of the game.
“I would like to thank Charlie Page for taking the gloves and appreciate his efforts.
“We go again on Saturday with a difficult game against a very good Vectis FC side at Cowes Enterprise College.”
In the Island Echo Challenge Cup final, W&B will face the winners of the 2nd semi-final between Shanklin and West Wight to be played at the County Ground tonight (Thursday).
WOOTTON REACH FINAL OF JUNIOR ‘A’ CUP
Wootton have battled their way through to the final of the Junior ‘A’ cup by overcoming Yarmouth and Calbourne at Wootton Rec.
Harry Green scored 4 for Wootton, Harris Payne scored a brace with the remaining goal coming courtesy of Dave Renouf in their comprehensive 7-1 victory
Wootton will face Ventnor in the final of the competition.
VENTNOR WIN DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP
Ventnor have won the Division 2 championship with 2 games to spare and achieved promotion to Division 1 by beating Osborne Coburg 3-2 at Watcombe Bottom.
Former Newport centre forward Charlie Urry bagged a brace for Ventnor with the other goal coming courtesy of Ben Pomroy.
The prolific Mark Taylor bagged both goals for Osborne Coburg.
It has been a very successful season for Ventnor with their reserve side winning Combination 2 and the 1st and 2nd teams reaching the finals of the Junior A and B cups respectively.
High Park and East Cowes Vics Reserves are in contention for the 2nd Division 2 promotion spot.
Isle of Wight football fixtures for Wednesday 19th April
The Island Echo Challenge Cup Semi-Final
Whitecroft & Barton Sports 6-1 Brading Town
The Ken Morris Junior A Cup Semi-Final
AFC Wootton 7-1 Yarmouth & Calbourne
Division 1
ECS 4-1 Oakfield
Ryde Saints 0-2 Northwood St Johns
Sandown & Lake 0-4 Bembridge
Division 2
Ventnor 3-2 Osborne Coburg
Actually Ventnor reserves have been removed from the junior B final due to playing an eligible player