The Mens 2nd team took the short hop over to top of the league Portsmouth looking for revenge for the harsh 1-2 loss just before the Christmas break but knowing that only a decent performance was going to give them any chance of coming away with any points.

The returning John Peatfield bolstered a team missing a number of key players and a 12th player due to play did not arrive due to a flat tire on their car meaning the team had to contend with playing without subs. However, any thoughts of being totally dominated were to put to rest right from the start as the team set out their stool early on with some slick passages of play and some good chances. In fairness the game was very even with Portsmouth attacking with equal intent, but just as the opposition defence were able to thwart the Island’s opportunities so to the host side were thwarted by a determined performance from the Island’s defence with John Pearson still rolling back the years alongside John Peatfield and Toby Noyes stepping up to the challenge with his best match of the campaign. However it was Wightlink Man of the Match Archie Clark who shined the brightest, superbly reading the game to intercept a number of through balls leaving Lewis Wells in goal with a few chances to deal with which he was more than equal to. In the middle of the park captain Mike Dodds, supported by Steve Holbrook, was combining with the always excellent Ethan Edmunds-Lamb and Will Bevan plus the front two of Aaron Edmunds-Lamb and Carly Joyce to create a host of chances which the Island were unable to convert. 0-0 at half time.

The start of the second half saw the Island grow further in confidence, so it was a body blow when Portsmouth took the lead, the side punished in the harshest of manners when unable to stop a ball into the D being deflected in by the opposition captain. Not to be disheartened the Island side kept about their business and continued to ask questions of the league leaders and it was not too long before they got their reward. Mike Dodds threaded the ball through to young Aaron Edmunds-Lamb who took two bites of the cherry to bury the ball in the back of the net, the keeper saving the first attempt. With thoughts of a potential upset on the cards Portsmouth did finally manage to step up a few gears and there were a few late scares for the Island side, particularly from short corners, however the team managed to hold on for a hard fought and thoroughly deserved draw. 1-1.