By IW Observer.co.uk
Shanklin 2 v Whitecroft & Barton 1
Shanklin’s injury time winner, against league leaders Whitecroft & Barton, ensures this season’s Division One Championship goes down to the wire, with a win in the final game at Brading tomorrow (Saturday), would see Shanklin crowned champions.
The seasiders kicked off and Danny Vyse was fouled in the box after five minutes, with stalwart, Iain Seabrook, coolly putting the penalty kick away for 1-0 to Shanklin. W&B then equalised through Josh Appell following a defensive error, and an even first half finished 1-1.
W&B used their experience to run the clock down in the second half, with the 400+ crowd getting increasingly frustrated by the time-wasting tactics, resulting in bookings for time-wasting and diving. Shanklin failed to convert a series of good chances at the far post and, as the game entered the last quarter of an hour, it looked like W&B would secure a draw and the title. Then a booking for a foul and a sin-binning, followed by a red card for a dangerous tackle, saw W&B reduced to nine players for the remainder of the match.
Shanklin were awarded a corner in injury time, bringing midfielder, Ryan Hill, back on to add height in the box. His mis-hit shot from close range saw Shanklin secure a win in circumstances that were in danger of spilling out of control. However, referee Andy Jones, and neutral linesmen, John Hopkinson and Ben Orton, ensured the match finished without further incident.
Shanklin’s three points sets up a cliff-hanger season finale at the Pete Henry Ground tomorrow.
Isle of Wight Observer