By Isle of Wight Observer
With the weather causing cancellation of most matches on and off the Island, Shanklin Ladies celebrated reaching the Invitation Cup semi-final, Cowes Reserves’ Mark Goodwin hit a hat-trick on the all weather pitch, and Cowes were disappointed at Portland.
Shanklin Ladies travelled to Basingstoke for the quarter-final of the Invitation Cup, where the start was delayed. Skipper and keeper, Kirren Shaw, kept a clean sheet with a string of saves, and stalwart, Gemma Woodford, scored in the 45th minute, after being put through on goal by sub, Freya Henry.
Although the ref issued three cautions early in the match, the second half saw Shanklin increase possession, with Woodford passing to Thea Broadhead to net Shanklin’s second. Broadhead then scored Shanklin’s third after a perfectly timed run and curled shot, and she completed her hat-trick with 15 minutes left, with a calmly executed strike, seeing Shanklin reach the semi-finals.
Division One’s Cowes Reserves striker, Mark Goodwin’s, hat-trick on the Island’s all-weather pitch steered the yachtsmen to a 4-0 home win over Oakfield. Luke Smallwood scored Cowes’ other goal, with stand-in keeper, Morgan Perrin, keeping a clean sheet and awarded player of the match.
Wessex
In the Premier Division, Cowes Sports lost 6-1 away at Portland United, with George Colson scoring the consolation goal from a corner on the hour.
Midweek games
Newport won 2-1 away at United Services Portsmouth in Wessex Division 1, with Kai Grace tapping in from close range within 5 minutes of the start. Neo Lamb headed the second from a Jez Conway corner just before half-time. An outstanding midfield performance from player-of-the-match Joe Hancott ensured ‘Port secured 3 points. They remain in joint ninth place, with games in hand.
The Cowes v Whitecroft & Barton and East Cowes Vics v Petersfield Town matches were postponed.
Off the pitch, East Cowes Vics are celebrating passing the ground grading for a Step Five club. Cowes have been awarded the Velocity Wessex Premier League MJM Sports Respect Award for January 2026, and Newport have published further details of their Legends match on Friday, May 8.