By Isle of Wight Observer
With Island pitches still recovering from relentless rain there were only two matches on the Island at the weekend. Whitecroft & Barton moved to the top of Division One, with a Josh Appell hat-trick, and Vectis were victorious in the cup at 10-player West Wight. All other weekend matches were postponed, and there were no Wessex matches involving Island clubs.
IW League and Cup
In Division One, W&B move to top spot after winning 8-0 at home to East Cowes Sports. Whitecroft took advantage of kicking down hill in the first half, and were leading 5-0 at the break, with two from Kyle Drew, including a back-post header after a sweeping cross-field move. Sam Yelland’s deflected 20-yarder left the keeper stranded. Matt Evans also scored, and Josh Appell hit home with the first of his three goals; East Cowes Sports threatened occasionally but failed to create a clear cut chance.
After the break, East Cowes Sports restricted ’Croft, but Josh Appell added two more, and Sam Cant scored on 90 minutes, seeing a classy and confident W&B win 8-0, returning to the top of the table with half their matches played.
In the Memorial Cup, Vectis progress after beating West Wight away 4-2 on penalties, following an end-to-end encounter. West Wight were leading early on through Max Foreman, who made it 2-0 before the break.
Vectis sub, Kudz Mazambara, pulled one back, and then their skipper, Ryan Gregory, levelled from a free kick, with less than 10 minutes remaining. Zak Harris gave West Wight a short-lived lead before an own goal, claimed by Vectis’s Ben Cutts, made the match all square. Penalties followed, with West Wight down to 10 players after Charlie McFarlane was red-carded for fouling.
In the shoot-out Vectis keeper, Carl Babbington, saved twice, and Vectis’s Josh Denness, Harry Furness, Ryan Gregory and Alfie Snow made it 4-2 to see them through to the fourth-round draw.
Women
Shanklin Ladies narrowly lost 1-0 away at Bursledon, with heavy conditions; it was a very close game with an outstanding performance from Shanklin’s Tilly Yardley.
Fixtures
Tomorrow, in the Memorial Cup, Wootton welcome Brading and Ventnor entertain Bembridge. Binstead COB are at home to Shanklin in the Gold Cup.
In Division One, leaders W&B play High Park, and in Division Two, Newport Reserves play Ryde Saints. Leaders Osborne Coburg are at home to 3rd-placed Niton, and Seaview welcome Newchurch.
In Combination One, the Reserves of Brading play 2nd-placed East Cowes Sports, Northwood welcome Bembridge, Shanklin play neighbours Sandown, bottom club Vectis entertain W&B, and leaders West Wight host Osborne Coburg.
In Combination Two, leaders Bembridge A entertain Wootton Res, West Wight A travel to Niton Res, with Ryde Saints Res hosting 2nd-placed High Park Res.
In Wessex Premier Division, Cowes welcome Moneyfields, and in Division One, Vics host Aldermaston and Newport visit Whitchurch United.
On Sunday, Shanklin Ladies welcome Basingstoke, and in Division Three Wight Eagles will be travelling to Farnborough.
