By Isle of Wight Observer
Division Two South league leaders, Isle of Wight Men 1st XI, won 4–1 in against promotion chasers, Haslemere. The Islanders were unable to capitalise on early chances, with keeper, and player-of-the-match, Steph Boyd marshalling his defence of Aaron Wood, Ethan Edmunds-Lamb, and Pat Butt. The game was goal-less at the break.
Haslemere started the second half with more purpose and took the lead, spurring the Islanders to respond with Adam Payne winning a series of corners. Following deflections, Antonio Ferreira levelled, leading to 15 minutes of midfield stalemate. Ferreira then broke the deadlock with a deft reverse flick to beat the advancing keeper. Joe Arnold added the third before Ferreira completed his hat-trick and sealed the match 4-1, putting the Island side 7 points clear at the top of the table with 4 matches remaining.
In Division Six South, the Island Men’s 2nd XI won 2-1 away at Basingstoke, with the defensive unit of Jarrod Butler, Toby Noyes, and Will Dall-Whittall standing firm under pressure. Midfielders Cian Smallwood-Butler and Tim Clapp worked tirelessly, feeding forwards Rupert King, Thomas Young, Carl Joyce, and Mike Dodds. Thomas Young, and player-of-the-match Arthur White, scored for the Island side, with sub, John Pearson, making an impact but unlucky not to score.
IW Ladies 1st XI drew 1-1 away at Alton, with Elsie Jenkinson commanding the goal. Determined defence came from Emily Lord, Hannah Pocock, and Claire Caddick, with tireless Saffron Hart screening in front. They were disappointed when Alton scored first, while the midfield quartet, of Sophie Parkhouse, Mia Lawrence, Lizzie Dodds, and Polly Rider, responded and began to stamp their authority, creating an opening for Evie Fairhurst to earn a short corner. Lord found Rider at the top of the D, and her strike sparked a goal-mouth scramble at the far post. Player-of-the-match, Annabelle Stanley, reacting quickest, forcing the ball home to level the scores.
The Ladies’ 2nds drew 1-1 ‘away at home’ to Portsmouth 4’s, with Megan Bridger on target for the Island side.