West Wight came from 2 goals down to claim a dramatic victory over Shanklin at Camp Road in atrocious conditions.
The game was played on a wet pitch, which worsened as the match went on. Torrential rain pelted down, soaking the pitch and the few hardy spectators who had braved the weather. Standing water on the sidelines made every tackle and pass a test of skill and balance. Despite the conditions, the players delivered a feast of committed, dramatic, and controversial football.
West Wight started brightly, pressing high, but Shanklin soon took control. Rory Day opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a low shot that left Ben Gearing rooted to the spot (0-1). Moments later, Gearing misjudged a Dan Drudge corner and punched it into his own net (0-2). West Wight were fortunate not to be three down when Day had a goal disallowed just before the break.
Half Time: West Wight 0-2 Shanklin
The second half began with both sides battling through the driving rain. Josh Daley came close to pulling a goal back but missed an open chance. Shanklin keeper Ash Goldsmith then punched a dangerous West Wight effort clear. Later, another West Wight shot rolled toward goal and got stuck in a puddle on the line.
The breakthrough finally came in the 66th minute. Gareth Bricknell fell over an outstretched leg after being tackled, and the referee controversially awarded a penalty. Chris Elliott calmly converted (1-2). Almost immediately, Elliott set up Jude Millar, who tapped in the equaliser (2-2).
Controversy continued when Gearing handled the ball outside the area but avoided a red card. West Wight sensed the momentum shifting and pressed relentlessly. In the 76th minute, Josh Daley fired home after a neat Millar assist (3-2). Bricknell then added a fourth, with Millar again providing the assist (4-2).
Shanklin refused to lie down. Rory Day powered through the penalty area to grab his second in the 78th minute (4-3). The final ten minutes were a frantic, rain-soaked battle. Puddles splashed with every challenge, mud coated the players’ kits, and the ball skidded unpredictably across the waterlogged pitch.
West Wight pressed again and again, searching for the decisive goal. In the 89th minute, Millar slotted home a perfectly weighted pass from Elliott to seal the tie and send the hardy West Wight supporters home happy (5-3).
Full Time: West Wight 5-3 Shanklin
West Wight: Gearing, Goldberg, Groom (Elliott), Simmonds (Jones), Harris, Thomas, Brett, Tyrell, Bricknell, Daley, Phillips (Millar)
Shanklin: Goldsmith, Drudge, Wilson, D. Field (Winterbottom), Gregory, Flux, Trowbridge (Arnold), White, Day, Parsons, J. Field
In other Memorial Cup matches…
Brading Town are through to the next round of the Memorial Cup after beating Northwood SJ at the Isle of Wight Community Club thanks to first half goals from Sam Knowles and Luke Glynn.
Dan Pearson scored 4 goals, Fin Kalaker bagged a brace and Ollie Frost and Frankie Foster netted a goal apiece as Whitecroft & Barton Sports knocked 8 past Newport Reserves at Sandy Lane. Ryleigh Wain grabbed Newport’s consolation goal.
PHOTOS:
Isle of Wight results for Saturday 22nd November
All games to kick off at 14:00
Memorial Cup
High Park 1-6 Cowes Sports Reserves
Match abandoned after 75 minutes
Northwood SJ 1-2 Brading Town
West Wight 5-3 Shanklin
W&B 8-1 Newport Reserves
Harwoods Division 2
Newchurch 1-2 Ryde Saints
Pan Community 3-1 Seaview
Combination 1
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves 0-0 ECS Reserves
Combination 2
Bembridge & Vectis A 6-2 Newchurch Reserves
Ventnor A 2-5 West Wight A
