By Isle of Wight Observer
Whitecroft & Barton added the IW Memorial Cup to the division championship and Challenge Cup, after beating a youthful Cowes Reserves 3-1 in a closely-fought contest under midweek floodlights at Westwood Park, in front of a 260+ crowd.
The first half-hour saw caution from both sides, with a left-foot cross from W&B’s Kade Woodford was stepped over at the back post by Sam Cant. This was followed by a Cowes counter-attack, which saw Charlie Haward fire over from the edge of the box. With half-time looming, the match increased in physicality with Sam Yelland booked for foul play.
With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, Whitecroft forward, Sam Yelland, out-jumped the Cowes defences to head home a corner for 1-0.
His effort was quickly followed by Josh Appell, heading home at the near post, beating the outstretched arms of George Bridi, the Cowes’ keeper. After Kade Woodford was yellow-carded for a foul tackle on the half-way line, W&B went into the break 2 goals up.
Cowes came out for the second half determined to get back into the match. Euan St John Biggs went close and Jimmy Mumford continually threatened without a clear-cut chance. Both sides brought on subs and, with 15 minutes left, a cross from Dan Pearson was headed home by Sam Cant for ‘Croft to lead 3-0. An increasingly frustrated Cowes over-reacted to a midfield incident, causing ref, Andy Doncaster, to red-card Cowes manager and sub, Rafiz Wightwick, who were sent off, along with a Cowes official. With less than 10 minutes left, it was enough time for 10 player Cowes to get a consolation goal through Jayden Long.
After the match, IW Football Association’s president, Roger Raggett, presented awards to the match officials and player-of-the-match, W&B’s Aidan Sainsbury, before handing the 100-year-old Cup to W&B skipper, Harry Ovnik.
Island Round-Up
Shanklin Ladies narrowly lost 3-2 in their Invitation Cup final match against Farnborough. After a goal-less first half, Farnborough took the lead and soon led 3-0, with Shanklin battling back through player-of-the-match, Gemma Woodford’s chip over the keeper. Jasmine Bavington then volleyed home a corner from Tilly Yardley, but despite pressing for the equaliser in the final minutes, the Farnborough keeper kept Shanklin at bay.
In the League, W&B lost their unbeaten record, losing 3-2 at home to Cowes Reserves, with the Yachtsmen scoring through Ollie Flood, Jimmy Mumford and Euan St John Biggs. Sam Cant scored both goals for the Division One Champions, who had Coner Lyon and Keelan Sainsbury yellow-carded in a highly competitive encounter.
Combination One saw Brading Res, with Ash Oliver in his final match as manager, overcome High Park Res 1-0, with a goal from the talented Caleb Dyer.
Sandown & Lake Reserves drew with West Wight Reserves, with George Saunders giving the visitors a first-half lead, and Kai Westmore levelling for Sandown.
A Harley Kennett hat-trick helped Ventnor A come back from 3-0 behind at the break, to draw 4-4 away at Vectis Res, with Sid Lever scoring the fourth Ventnor goal. Bubacarr Touray (2), Mark Goodwin and Sam Littlemore scored for Vectis in the final match of the season.
Wessex
Newport, who are looking to ground-share with Cowes for the 2025/6 season, drew 2-2 away at Amesbury Town, with Ji Nash getting both ‘Port goals to secure 8th place.
Promotion-seeking East Cowes Vics won 3-2 at home to Ash United, with Liam Newbold scoring in the first half, and second-half subs, Scott Jones and Jacob Reynolds, ensuring Vics claimed the points to finish fourth and earning a place in the play-offs.
In the mid-week play-off game, Vics won 2-1 away at Alresford, with the first-half finishing goal-less. Vic’s Toby Snow opened the scoring within 20 minutes of the second half, with Alresford levelling, and Elliot Wheeler then headed the winner for Vics with only minutes left.
Vics now face Frimley Green in the play-off Final tomorrow (Saturday) at the KBO Stadium with a 3pm kick-off. The winners will be promoted to the Wessex Premier Division.
Fixtures
West Wight Res face Oakfield in the Junior A Cup Final at East Cowes Vics, on Wednesday (May 7) and East Cowes Vics face Cowes Sports in the Gold Cup Final, at Cowes, on Saturday, May 10.