The Island men’s 2XI team welcomed league leaders US Portsmouth, who were 4 points clear, with 2 games to play, knowing that a draw or loss would hand the opposition the league title, in this 1st v 2nd match at Smallbrook on Saturday.
The Island was in no mood to let them have the win without a fight and were seeking vengeance after their previous away loss to the local rivals.
Straight out, the Island put the opposition under pressure. An early opportunity fell to Thomas Young with just the keeper to beat, but unfortunately, he put the ball wide. The home team kept pushing for the opener, but US Portsmouth stood firm and against the run of play, a quickly taken free hit in their half was transferred to the forwards, who managed to squeeze off a shot which went past the despairing Lewis Wells in goal (0-1).
The Island refused to dwell on this, knowing chances were being created and only time would tell before they scored. Moments later, Stephen Woodford scored his first of the match, after the opposition failed to clear their lines (1-1). The rest of the half became an even affair, with both sides creating chances. At half-time, the score was delicately poised at 1-1.
Half time: Isle of Wight men’s 2XI 1-1 US Portsmouth 2XI
Playing at a much higher intensity, the 2nd half again started well for the Island, but again, US Portsmouth took the lead with a scrappy goal (1-2).
Spurred on, the passion was visible throughout the whole of the home side. The midfield and forwards started carving their way back through the opposition’s defence, keeping them pinned back and the pressure on until it was too much. Stephen Woodford shortly bagged his second of the game (2-2).
Maintaining high pressure, Nathan Bruce’s goal-bound shot was stopped by a phenomenal recovered save from the keeper. A great bit of interplay between the midfield got the ball through to Young just inside the circle, who turned on the spot and fired the ball into the bottom right corner, a signature shot from the veteran striker (3-2).
With 15 minutes left of play, US Portsmouth were desperate to hold on, but needed an all-important draw and so amped up their press. One goal-bound shot was spectacularly cleared off the line by Nik Goode. Wells was forced into multiple saves, whilst Ash Metcalfe made several crucial tackles as the left-line of defence. With time ticking on, there was a string of short corners against the Island, and there were heart-in-the-mouth moments at times, but the home team held firm and there was a euphoric roar when the final whistle blew.
Full time: Isle of Wight men’s 2XI 3-2 US Portsmouth 2XI
Goals from: Stephen Woodford (2) and Thomas Young (1)
The men’s 1XI had an equally close battle against Fareham’s 3XI, but came away on the wrong end of the scoreline. They remain in a comfortable 1st place in their league.
Full time: Isle of Wight men’s 1XI 0-1 Fareham 3XI
Isle of Wight Ladies’ 1XI had a hard-fought battle away against top-of-the-table Chichester.
The opposition’s runs were cut off by Georgia Whittle, Saffron Hart and Pip Spibey. Sophie Parkhouse, making her debut for the ladies’ 1XI, hassled Chichester’s backline. The opposition was able to take a 2-goal lead. They were on for a 3rd but desperate defending prevented a scoring opportunity – resulting in a penalty flick. Against keeper Tia Shutler, the opposition flung the ball completely wide of goal and the Island were still in the game. Cully Trevallion, Crys O’Connell and Nicky Richardson worked tirelessly in the midfield to advance the island’s place up the pitch. They were also called back to cut-in and support Emily Lord and Claire Caddick stepping up to break down Chichester’s attacks but sadly, against the run of play, the opposition were able to add one more to their tally by half-time.
Half time: Chichester 1XI 3-0 Isle of Wight ladies 1XI
The Island came out stronger in the 2nd half, the Island continued to press and won a series of short corners. Chichester defended as equally well as they attacked. The game played out with the opposition adding two more to their tally.
Full time: Chichester 1XI 5 – Isle of Wight ladies 1XI 0
Wightlink player of the match: Sophie Parkhouse️
The Ladies’ 2XI secured another convincing victory, which saw them move up to 3rd place in the table.
Full time: Isle of Wight ladies 2XI 5 – Haslemere 5XI 0
Goals from: Aly Townend (2), Dee Sanchez-Brown (2) and Evie Longson (1)
