By Isle of Wight Observer
Hallowe’en football highlights included hat-tricks from East Cowes Sports’ Andy Ebbs and Seaview’s Finley Armstrong, a Hampshire Vase victory for Whitecroft & Barton Reserves, West Wight’s first defeat of the season and Shanklin paying tribute to club stalwart Roger Harvey.
Hampshire Vase
Referee Chris Beard led family, friends and players in a minute’s silence in memory of the late Shanklin FC clubman Roger Harvey before their Hampshire Vase clash at home to Paulsgrove.
The fixture came 40 years after a previous meeting was abandoned following the dismissal of two visiting players. This time, the visitors picked up an early booking, while Shanklin created several good chances.
After a goalless first half, Josh Parsons scored for Shanklin, with the match finishing 1-1 before Paulsgrove edged a closely contested penalty shoot-out 6-5.
Whitecroft & Barton Reserves won their Hampshire Vase match 2-0 at home to Sherfield, with Ash Gulliver scoring in each half and Jack Ewback producing an outstanding performance.
IW Divisions One and Two
Sandown & Lake gave Division One champions Whitecroft & Barton a scare at the Fairway, with the match evenly poised at 2-2 at half-time. Referee Jock Rafferty issued cautions for foul play, while Sandown goalkeeper Rob Iley and defender Alex Breingan produced resilient performances to keep their side in contention.
Theo Appell scored twice for W&B in the first half, with Tommy Jackson and player of the match Scott Sampson adding goals in the dying minutes. Sonny Mulholland and Dylan Moran scored Sandown’s first-half goals.
Dylan Andrews’ late winner and Zak Sullivan’s first-half free kick secured a 2-1 away victory for Binstead COB against Northwood, with Lewis Blackmore scoring for the hosts before the break.
Bembridge & Vectis won 2-1 at home to Cowes Reserves, with Ryan Gregory and Ethan Dicker on target, while Stan Backshall scored for the Yachtsmen.
Unbeaten Shanklin won their top-of-the-table clash at West Wight 2-0, with Rory Day scoring in the first half and Frank Stuber adding a second in the final 15 minutes.
Brading secured a 4-2 away victory at Oakfield, with goals from Harry Green (2), Scott Lawson and Jack Davies.
East Cowes Sports won the local derby 6-1 against East Cowes Vics Reserves, with Andy Ebbs scoring a hat-trick and Tom McDowell, Josh Richardson and Tony
Cowburn adding a goal each. Ollie Simpkins scored Vics’ consolation goal. The victory maintained Sports’ unbeaten start and kept them joint top of Division Two alongside Newport Reserves.
Newport Reserves edged a 4-3 home victory over Osborne Coburg, with goals from Josh Gwilliam, George Holbrook, Michael Thompsett and substitute Luca Burton.
Ryde Saints won 2-0 at home to Newchurch, with Jay Larbalestier and Jack Bradley scoring, while Newchurch’s Scott Parker received a caution.
Finley Armstrong’s hat-trick helped a resilient Seaview secure their first point of the season in a 3-3 home draw with Niton.
Combination One and Two
In Combination One, Binstead COB Reserves won 3-0 at home to Oakfield Reserves, with Scott Hamilton, Sam Hart and substitute Chris Brereton scoring for the Binmen.
Bembridge & Vectis Reserves secured a 4-1 home victory over Sandown & Lake Reserves, with Charlie Jon Broadbent, Lewis Parker-Meadows, Korben Westmore and substitute Liam Rowley among the scorers.
In Combination Two, leaders Northwood Reserves won 5-3 away to Newchurch Reserves, with a volunteer referee helping the match flow smoothly. Gavin Dicker, Sidney Lever and veteran Keith Rust scored for Newchurch, while Northwood’s goals came from player of the match Ellis Marinelli (2), Max Attrill, Roland Bryan and Blair Burns.
Second-placed West Wight A were awarded a home win against Ryde Saints Reserves.