West Wight held off sustained late pressure to beat title rivals Whitecroft & Barton Sports at Sandy Lane in Harwoods Division 1 yesterday afternoon (4th April).
The result could yet prove decisive in the race for the title, ending W&B’s unbeaten league run and giving the visitors breathing space at the top of the table heading into the final games of the season.
The hosts created the first opening in the 22nd minute when Harry Mulholland fired over from 5 yards out after finding space inside the box.
That miss was punished a minute later. Josh Daley raced onto a through ball, beat goalkeeper Gareth True and rolled the ball into the empty net to give the away side the lead (0-1).
West Wight threatened again in the 44th minute when Daley chased down a loose back pass, but was unable to direct his effort on target.
In the 1st minute of first half injury time, W&B were dealt a further blow when Joe Rayner handled inside the penalty area. Chris Elliott converted from the spot to double the visitors’ advantage (0-2).
Half Time: Whitecroft & Barton Sports 0-2 West Wight
Early in the 2nd half, the away side came close to extending their lead, with Conal Groom firing just over the crossbar in the 47th minute.
The contest became increasingly scrappy, with both sides picking up bookings as the rhythm of the game fractured.
W&B reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute when Harry Ovnik headed home from a long Kade Woodford throw (1-2), shifting the momentum firmly towards the home side.
From that point, the momentum at Sandy Lane changed in favour of the home side. W&B pushed higher, forced errors, and began to confine the visitors to their own half.
In the 85th minute, Rayner attempted to catch goalkeeper Gearing off his line with a lob, but the effort drifted over.
A major chance followed in the 90th minute when substitute Dan Pearson found space at close range, only to miss the target.
Deep into injury time, the pressure became relentless. W&B delivered a succession of balls into the box, bodies crowded the penalty area, and loud appeals for handball were waved away as West Wight stood firm under sustained pressure.
Full Time: Whitecroft & Barton Sports 1-2 West Wight
Whitecroft & Barton Sports: True, Shaw, Jackson, Rayner, Ovnik, Sainsbury, Yelland, Mulholland, Kalaker, Cant, Woodford. Subs: Lyon, Pearson, Green.
West Wight: Gearing, Goldberg, Groom, Brett, Harris, Thomas, Phillips, Tyrrell, Elliott, Daley, Simmonds. Subs: Millar, Taylor, Kennett.
West Wight now sit 3 points clear at the top of Harwoods Division 1, although W&B have 2 games in hand.
Today’s match was the Sandy Lane side’s first fixture since 7th March following 4 walkovers.
In the run-in, West Wight face Bembridge & Vectis (H), Northwood SJ (H) and Brading Town (A), while W&B take on Oakfield (A), Northwood SJ (H), Bembridge & Vectis (H), Brading Town (H) and Shanklin (H).
The 2 sides will meet twice more this month, in the Memorial Cup semi final on 18th April and the Challenge Cup final at Westwood Park on 28th April, ensuring the rivalry has further chapters yet to be written before the season draws to its conclusion.
Sandown & Lake A team reach Junior B Cup final
Sandown & Lake A have reached the Junior B cup final at the expense of High Park A thanks to a last gasp equaliser from Danny Warboyes followed by victory in the penalty shootout.
In other games…
Oakfield 0-5 Brading Town
A brace from Aaron Bennett and further goals from Jake Keetch, Caleb Dyer and Niall Powell saw Brading overcome Oakfield at Slade Road in the only other Division 1 game to be played on Saturday.
Binstead & COB 2-2 Ryde Saints
The Ryde derby ended honours even at the Molehill with Captain Darren Powell grabbing both goals for the home side. The draw leaves Binstead 2nd in Division 2 with 28 points from 11 games, while Ryde Saints are 5th with 22 points from 13 games.
East Cowes Vics Reserves 8-1 Newchurch
A hat trick from man-of-the-match Travis Pitman, a brace from Maca Barnes and further goals from James Cheek and Nick Anstey saw Vics to victory against Newchurch at Beatrice Avenue. Vics Reserves are now 6th in Division 2 with 9 games of their season remaining while Newchurch remain 2nd-from-bottom.
ECS 1-1 Sandown & Lake
Division 2 leaders Sandown remain unbeaten after taking a point from 3rd-placed ECS at the GKN Sports Ground. Shay Dixon gave Sandown a first half lead before Callum Fryer found a late equaliser for the hosts.
Isle of Wight football results for Saturday 4th April
Junior B Semi Final
High Park A 2-2 Sandown & Lake A
Sandown & Lake won on penalties
Harwoods Division 1
Oakfield 0-5 Brading Town
W&B 1-2 West Wight
Division 2
Binstead & COB 2-2 Ryde Saints
East Cowes Vics Reserves 8-1 Newchurch
ECS 1-1 Sandown & Lake
Combination 1
Brading Town Reserves 2-1 W&B Reserves
High Park Reserves 6-4 Shanklin Reserves
West Wight Reserves 7-1 ECS Reserves
Combination 2
Oakfield A 2-4 Bembridge & Vectis A
Ryde Saints Reserves 0-2 Newchurch Reserves
