By Isle of Wight Observer
In cold and crisp conditions, Ventnor and Division Two High Park sprung dramatic penalty shoot-out cup shocks, East Cowes Sports maintained their leads in Division Two and Combination One, while East Cowes Vics dug deep to win away. Volunteers across the Island worked hard to ensure pitches were fit to play.
Island Cups
Ventnor came from behind to win 5-4 on penalties at Whitecroft & Barton, after the Gold Cup match finished 3-3. W&B led 3-1 at half-time, after goals from Josh Appell, Sam Cant and Aidan Sainsbury, with Emerson Tattersall netting a hat-trick for Ventnor, including a first-half penalty.
In the Memorial Cup, High Park beat Shanklin 10-9 on penalties, after the match finished goal-less, with the High Park keeper having an outstanding match and Billy Haylor red-carded early in the second half.
Two goals from Matt Walter, and 1 apiece from Louis Perfect and Dexter Collins, saw Binstead COB win 4-1 at home to West Wight, who scored through George Saunders.
Bembridge won 5-3 away at Northwood, with goals from Aidan White, Stuart Clark, Brandon Tuckey and Rory Day (2), with replies from Lewis Blackmore (2) and Leigh McKenzie.
Island Leagues
In Division Two, Pan came from behind to win the derby match 6-4 at home to Newport Reserves, despite a Sam Shephard hat-trick to see ‘Port lead 4-1 at the break on a difficult playing surface.
Player-of-the-match, Lewis Baker, inspired 2nd-placed East Cowes Sports to a 4-2 home win against Ryde Saints, with goals from Cory Neville , Andy Ebbs, Oli Lacey and Josh Richardson.
In Combination One, High Park Res drew 1-1 at home to Bembridge Res, who scored through Keiron Wye.
Goals from Roley Bryan and Frank Jones saw leaders, East Cowes Sports Res,8 win 2-1 away at Ventnor Res, who replied through Harry Croad.
Shay Dixon and Louis Day goals saw 2nd-placed Sandown & Lake Res win 2-1 at home to Brading Res, after club stalwart, Steve Berry, and other club volunteers, ensured the pitch was fit to play on.
W&B Res won 4-0 away at Shanklin Res, with Luke Bennett and Louis Biles scoring before the break, and Luke Lambert and Keir Ramage ensuring the points.
West Wight Res won 3-0 at home to Northwood Res, with goals from Jack Butler, Jude Millar and Jordan Flynn.
In Combination Two, leaders, Osborne Coburg A, won 1-0 at home to Oakfield Res, thanks to a Kian Vickery goal.
Niton Res were awarded a home win over Bembridge A.
Wessex
In Division One, player-of-the-match Liam Triggs inspired East Cowes Vics to come from a goal behind to win 2-1 away at Hamworthy, with goals from a Raff Boyd-Kerr header and Zak Sullivan corner.
Newport drew 1-1 at home to Folland Sports after conceding early in the second half and having Harri Catania red-carded. Newport levelled through Henry West with only minutes of the match left.
Fixtures
This weekend, there are Hampshire Cup fixtures for Brading at home to Harvest, W&B away at Hook, Vectis travel to Stockbridge, Bembridge visit Tadley Calleva, and West Wight host Locks Heath.
In the Vase, Sandown & Lake are home to Brading Res, with Oakfield Res hosting AFC Solent.
The Memorial Cup sees Newchurch welcome East Cowes Sports.
In Division One, Northwood welcome Cowes Sports Res.
Seaview are home to Newport Res, Pan host Oakfield, Niton are home to Sandown & Lake, and High Park entertain Ryde Saints in Division Two.
Combination One matches include W&B Res at home to East Cowes Sports Res.
In Combination Two, Bembridge A host Ryde Saints Res, Osborne Coburg A entertain Ventnor A, Vectis Res welcome Oakfield Res, and West Wight A are home to Niton Res.
Wessex matches will see Cowes start 2025 at home to Millbrook in the Premier Division after their postponed match, with 4th-placed Vics home to Fawley and Newport away at Hamworthy.
After a weekend of weather-cancelled matches, Shanklin Ladies have a break before their Cup match at home to Liphook, with Wight Eagles travelling to Alton.