Brading Town v W&BW&B have regained the Isle of Wight Division 1 Championship on goal difference by beating Brading at the Peter Henry ground on Thursday evening. Earlier in the season, Whitecroft & Barton Sports had lifted the Island Echo Challenge Cup by overcoming Ventnor on penalties. It has been an enthralling Division 1 championship race. Last Saturday, West Wight went a point clear of W&B with a memorable 0-4 victory at Sandy Lane – inflicting the champions sole league defeat of the season. On Tuesday, W&B retained top spot (on goal difference) by drawing 2-2 with Cowes Sports at Westwood Park. West Wight then went 3 points clear by beating Shanklin 3-1 at Camp Road on Wednesday. However, W&B have now had the final word by word by winning against Brading. The Romans fielded a weakened side without several 1st team regulars and lacking a recognised goalkeeper; however, Brading battled bravely throughout the game. W&B were boosted by the return of Harry Ovnik. Brading Town v W&B It took until the 38th minute for W&B – playing up the slope – to break down their stubborn opponents, taking the lead through a looping Josh Appell header from an Aidan Sainsbury corner (1-0) – but some spectators claimed it was an own goal. Aaron Bennett missed a golden opportunity to equalise when – faced with an open goal – he hoofed the ball over the crossbar from 5 yards in the final minute of the half, although the linesman had flagged for offside. Half time: Brading Town 0-1 Whitecroft & Barton SportsJosh Appell scores opening goal The Romans began the 2nd half with a change of goalkeeper: Danny Worboyes replacing Jack Williams between the sticks. Worboyes was soon in action, losing the ball when coming out of his area to challenge Joe Rayner, but the ball trickled harmlessly across the goal line with no W&B player able to apply the finishing touch. W&B doubled their lead in the 67th minute with Josh Appell curling a shot past Worboyes to bag his brace (0-2). Josh Appell celebrates scoring 2 minutes later, W&B made certain of their win and the Division 1 title when referee Ian Smith played the advantage after Worboyes had committed a foul in the penalty area, the ball then rolled to Sam Yelland to poke the ball into the back of the net. Full time: Brading Town 0-3 Whitecroft & Barton SportsW&B celebrate taking Division 1 titleBrading Town: Williams, Johnson, Glynn, Knowles, Lawson, Hutchinson, Strickland, Dyer, Bennett, Gregory, Wilson Subs: Worboyes, Warrington, Turner Whitecroft & Barton Sports: Linington, Lambert, Lyon, Ovnik, Newbold, Sainsbury, Yelland, Augustus, Appell, Rayner, Coode Subs: Young, Drew, Frost Brading finish their season 3rd-from-bottom ahead of East Cowes Sports on goal difference; Whitecroft & Barton Sports finish theirs in top spot ahead of West Wight on goal difference. Harwoods Division 1 table below:
