By Isle of Wight Observer
Shanklin Ladies reached the final of the Hants Invitation Cup after volunteers repaired a vandalised pitch. Jack Barsdell’s hat-trick helped Ventnor stay top of Division One, and Sam Hatton’s trio kept Osborne A top of Combination Two, while Newport moved to sixth place in Wessex.
Women’s football
Ref Andrew Dorning declared the pitch fit to play after volunteers worked all morning to repair motorcycle damage to the Main and Junior County Ground pitches. With wintry conditions, visitors Alton got the early cornets in the Hants Invitation Cup semi-final, with skipper/keeper, Kirren Shaw, making early saves. Peggy Stagg put a shift in, with a scrappy first-half ending in a Shanklin attack down the left, and the Alton keeper parrying a shot into the path of an ever-alert Faith Wagstaff to finish from close in, to secure a place in the final.
Island Leagues One & Two
In Division One, 2nd-placed Whitecroft & Barton maintained their unbeaten season, winning 3-0 at home to Osborne Coburg, with a first-half strike from Sam Yelland, a goal in either half from Josh Appell, and an outstanding performance from Ollie Frost.
Leaders, Ventnor won 5-3 away at Northwood, with a hat-trick from yellow-carded Jack Bardsell, and 1 apiece from Freddie Knowles and Harry Mulholland. The match was turned around after Lewis Blackmore (2) and Toby Lauder gave Northwood an early lead.
West Wight won 2-1 away at Bembridge, with a first-half goal from Jude Millar and the second-half winner from Josh Craig.
Vectis narrowly lost 4-3 away at Ringwood Town, in the Hants Saturday Trophy.
In Division Two, goals from skipper Jake Cass, Josh Edgerton and Cruz Wragg saw Niton win 3-0 away at Ryde Saints, in a well-contested clash.
Combinations One & Two
In Combination One, Shanklin Reserves’ home match with Vectis Res, was abandoned by ref, Michael Power, in the 88th minute, when Shanklin’s right-back, Matt Rolle, sadly broke his leg in a midfield tackle. The match was level at 1-1 at the time.
Sandown & Lake Res won 5-1 at home to Northwood St John’s Res, with goals from Alex Breingan (2), Louis Day, Jimmy Golding and Eddie Johnson.
Brading Res won 6-1 away at Binstead COB.
W&B Res won 5-2 away at Osborne Coburg Res, with Bradley Gamble hitting the 2 consolation goals, and W&B’s goals coming from Keir Ramage (2), Josh Gwilliam, Luke Hackshaw and Robbie Taylor.
In Combination Two, Sandown & Lake A won 5-1 away at High Park A, with a hat-trick from Tom Driscoll, and a goal each from Phil Shuro and sub, Dan Worboyes.
Bembridge A won 3-1 at home to West Wight A.
Leaders, Osborne Coburg A won 6-1 at home to Vectis Res, with a Sam Hatton hat-trick and 1 apiece from Charlie Sharpe, Adam Glen and sub, Arthur Bradbury. Cameron Kayode was on target for Vectis.
Newchurch Res drew 1-1 at home to Niton Res, with Max Napier on target for the home side and Adam Reuben scoring for the visitors.
Wessex
In Wessex, Cowes lost 1-0 at home to 3rd-placed AFC Stoneham in the Premier Division.
In Division One, Newport won 2-1 at home to Amesbury Town, with Ji Nash getting both goals. Ji’s winning penalty was his 100th goal in Wessex Football, and saw Newport move to sixth place in Division One.
Fixtures
This weekend, Cowes are away to Portland United in the Premier Division.
Newport travel to Clanfield at the weekend, and East Cowes Vics welcome New Milton in Division One. Newport will welcome East Cowes Vics on Tuesday after their postponed match.
Niton welcome Vectis in the Memorial Cup, with West Wight home to W&B in the Challenge Cup.
In Island Division One, Binstead COB face Northwood, Cowes Res entertain Ventnor, Osborne Coburg host Brading, and Shanklin face Bembridge.
Division Two sees Newport Res welcome Seaview, Oakfield home to Sandown & Lake, Pan play leaders, High Park, and Ryde Saints home to East Cowes Sports.
In Combination One, Northwood Res are home to Bembridge Res, Sandown & Lake Res welcome High Park Res, Ventnor Res face West Wight Res, and W&B Res entertain Brading Town Res.
Leaders, Osborne Coburg A are away to Newchurch Res in Combination Two, Vectis Res welcome Niton Res, Bembridge A are home to Sandown & Lake A, and High Park A host West Wight A.
On Sunday, Division One leaders Shanklin travel to 2nd-placed Millbrook, and Wight Eagles are home to Farnborough.