By Isle of Wight Observer
The withdrawal of Binstead COB Reserves from the league – and further on-field disciplinary issues – highlight the vulnerability of Island football. Bembridge’s Kudsaishe Mazambara netted 5 goals, and Jordan Maloney had a hat-trick for West Wight A, and there were points for all 3 Wessex sides.
IW Divisions One and Two
Whitecroft & Barton strengthen their hold at the top, with a close 3-2 win away at Osborne Coburg. A Conner Lyon goal led 1-0 at the break, with Kade Woodford adding a second, and sub, Harrison Taylor, netting the winner. Coburg’s goals came from Harry Green and Carl Phillipson.
Second-placed Ventnor maintained their challenge, winning 4-1 away at West Wight, with goals from Charlie Urry (2), and 1
apiece from Rob Gee and Harry Mulholland, with Josh Craig netting the consolation goal.
Shanklin won 2-1 at home to Binstead COB, whose 2nd XI withdrew from the league. There was a first-half strike from Jamie Trowbridge from outside the box, and a left-foot volley from returning left back, Jason Smythers. The Binmen’s goal capitalised on a defensive error, with possible penalties for both sides an after-match talking point.
Skipper, Dan Vale, scored his 400th and 401st goals for Brading, in their 3-1 away win at Northwood, with Aaron Bennett also on target for the Romans. Bembridge won 7-1 away at Vectis, with 5 goals from Kudsaishe Mazambara, and 1 each for Ethan Dicker and Jared Wetherick. Ben Cutts scored the consolation goal.
In Division Two, with an injury to a Seaview player causing the match to be abandoned with 10 minutes left, leaders, High Park, won 7-0 at home to Seaview. Goals came from John (1) and Dan Robjant (2), Kyle Kilroy, Tyler Mullan and Chris Dibsdale, plus an own goal.
Goals from Lewis Evans, Jake Cass and a Cruz Wragg spot-kick, saw Niton win 3-0 at home to Newport Res.
Third-placed Oakfield won 3-0 away at Sandown & Lake, with strikes from Gary Hills and Sid Roberts (2).
Combination Leagues and Cups
Combination One leaders, W&B Res, strengthened their lead after being awarded a home win over folded Binstead COB Res.
Second-placed Sandown & Lake Res will be disappointed to lose 2-1 away at East Cowes Sports. Alex Breingan netted the consolation goal, and Elliot Apter scored for Brading Res in their 1-1 home draw with West Wight Res, who levelled through Connal Groom.
Bembridge Res won 2-0 at home to Ventnor Res.
High Park Res won 5-2 at home to Osborne Coburg Res, with Connor Coburn hitting both ‘Burg’s goals.
In the Junior B Cup, Ventnor A won 2-0 at home to Oakfield Res, with both goals from Harrison Cutler. Ventnor’s Matt Ellis and Oakfield’s Andrew Bennett were sent off in the second half.
Combination Two’s Newchurch Res won 5-0 at home to High Park A, with second-half goals from Max Napier, Irving Pedreschi, veteran, Keith Rust, and sub, Jamal Watt.
Bembridge A won 4-2 away at Ryde Saints Res. West Wight A won 4-0 at home to Niton Res, with Jordan Maloney getting a hat-trick after Karl Williamson got the first.
Wessex Leagues
In Premier One, Cowes drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth, with Jared Tout-Walters and player-of-the-match, Jake Wright, giving Cowes a 2-0 half-time lead. The Yachtsmen will be disappointed not to have taken all 3 points.
East Cowes Vics, in Division One, drew 1-1 away at Ringwood, with their new signing from West Wight, Gareth Bricknell, scoring after 9 minutes to secure a point. Newport won 3-2 at home to Whitchurch, with goals from Joe Butcher, player-of-the-match, Kai Grace, and skipper, Mac Watterson.
Midweek Wessex
Cowes welcomed Fareham to Westwood Park on Tuesday evening for a Premier One game.
Despite creating early chances the visitors scored with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, shortly afterwards Jake Wright was unlucky to hit the post just before the break. On the hour, Wright’s free-kick found club stalwart John Mckie, who tapped home at the far post to go level, this spurred Fareham to score within minutes. Despite changes, the Yachtsmen were unable to break down their disciplined opponents and will be disappointed to lose the match 2-1.
On a personal note, it was heartening to see Newport’s skipper, Macauley Watterson, after scoring the Wessex winner against Whitchurch on Saturday, turn out to ref the U-10s Shanklin V Vectis on Sunday. The Island’s football family is fortunate to have so many committed and caring people at all levels.
Fixtures
In Wessex, Cowes travel to Andover New Street, Newport visit New Milton, and EC Vics are home to Verwood Town.
On the Island, Binstead COB are home to Shanklin, Cowes Res welcome Brading, Ventnor entertain Vectis, and West Wight welcome W&B in Division One. In Division Two, Newport Res are home to Newchurch, Oakfield host East Cowes Sports, and Sandown & Lake welcome Niton.
In Combination One, Brading Res host East Cowes Sports Res, Northwood Res face Ventnor Res, Shanklin Res play West Wight Res, and W&B Res are home to Osborne Coburg Res.
Combination Two will see Osborne Coburg A at home to West Wight A, Ryde Saints Res face Ventnor A, Sandown & Lake A entertain High Park A and Vectis Res play Oakfield Res.
After ferry cancellations caused Shanklin’s match to be postponed at the weekend, they are at home to AFC Portchester in the Hants Women’s Trophy, with Wight Eagles away to City Ladies on Sunday.