By Isle of Wight Observer
Niton Reserves were crowned winners of the IW Junior B Cup, after beating Ventnor 4-3 on penalties: the floodlit match finished 1-1.
A crowd of more than 300 saw the closely-contested South Wight derby at Brading’s ground, with Ventnor keeper, Ben Cooper, pulling off an early save with Niton pressing aggressively.
Ventnor played a hopeful ball into the Niton half, with Niton’s keeper, Jack Shepherd, needlessly leaving his area and committing a reckless foul near the touchline. He received a yellow card, and the resultant free-kick ended with Ventnor’s Matt Ellis heading in from close range after 30 minutes.
As the match heated up, ref Michael Power issued a series of yellow cards and warned a Niton player for not having shin-guards.
Niton hit the bar, and just before the break levelled the match when Ryan McDowall hit a right foot shot from outside the box.
After the break, Niton’s Tony Potts came close several times and saw a goal-bound strike cleared off the line by the Ventnor defence.
With both teams bringing on subs, there were few chances as the match drew to a close, and penalties beckoned.
After Ventnor missed twice, Niton kept their nerve to claim a well-deserved victory with IW Football Association’s Ian Smith presenting the Cup. Ventnor keeper, Ben Cooper, received the player-of-the-match award.