By Isle of Wight Observer
Waterlogged pitches and wanton vandalism dominated a fixture programme decimated by downpours. However there were highlights, including four goals for Whitecroft & Barton’s Dan Pearson, a West Wight cup comeback, and united condemnation from the Island football family towards those who vandalised Oakfield’s pitch.
Island Memorial Cup
In the Memorial Cup Second Round, ‘Reigning’ champions Whitecroft & Barton won 8-1 in the rain at home to Newport Reserves. Dan Pearson hit 4 goals, Fin Kalaker 2, and there was a goal apiece from Frankie Foster and Ollie Frost, with Ryleigh Wain netting the consolation goal. Cowes Sports Res were 6-1 ahead, at High Park, when the match was abandoned with 15 minutes left.
West Wight recovered from 2–0 down at home to Shanklin. Dan Drudge scored direct from a corner, and Rory Day added a first-half second for Shanklin. After the break, West Wight hit five through Gareth Bricknell, Josh Daley, substitutes Jude Millar (2) and a Chris Elliott penalty, securing a 5–3 win. Day scored again, had another effort disallowed and there were several other contentious decisions.
Brading won 2–1 away at Northwood, with first-half goals from Sam Knowles and Luke Glynn.
Island Division Two
Ryde Saints won 2-1 away at Newchurch, with the ‘Church taking a first-half lead through Kirk Brogan. Chris Taylor levelled before the break, and sub, Jacob Ormer, hit the winner with 20 minutes left.
Seaview volunteers worked hard to enable a fixture reversal, with home side Pan winning 3-1 away at Seaview, and they move to seventh in the Division. Seaview remained at the bottom without any points, with ref, Ali Taylor, red-carding Marcus Pyle for denying a goal-scoring chance proving the turning point of the match. Luke Barker netted for Seaview, and David Dunne had an outstanding match.