In the pouring rain the Men’s 2nd XI took to the field against Wimborne Wayfarers looking for their first win of the season after two disappointing results so far. The team got off to a fantastic start with great interchanges between the forwards of Johnny Kirby and Thomas Young with excellent support from the midfield of Aaron Edmunds-Lamb Ethan Edmunds-Lamb, captain Mike Dodds and Steve Holbrook. However this did not transfer into goals straight away as, as per the last two games, chances were not being put away. Yet as it seemed that it was going be another one of those weeks the Island finally broke the deadlock with Thomas Young firing at goal with Johnny Kirby getting the final touch on arguably a goal bound shot. The joy didn’t last long as Wimborne almost immediately equalised with a rare foray into the Islands D. This galvanized the team and they were unlucky not to take the lead when an Aaron Edmunds-Lamb strike was disallowed when Ethan Edmunds-Lamb was adjudged to have used the back of the stick in the build up. However the Island did go ahead through Thomas Young and doubled the lead just before half time through a Mike Dodds strike for a 3-1 lead. In truth it should have been considerably more.

The second half the saw Island set about trying to improve the score line. Charlie Randerson and veteran Island World Cup star John Pearson gave fresh impetus, underpinned by an excellent defensive performance from Pete McKnight, Steve McKnight, Archie Clark and the impressive Will Bevan. The returning Lewis Wells in goal, in truth, had little do. Chances came thick and fast for the Island though, with a flurry of goals being scored. Both Thomas Young and Johnny Kirby completed hat tricks whilst Aaron Edmunds-Lamb was in the right place at the right time to sweep the ball home for a much deserved goal. Wimborne Wayfarers did pull a goal back in amongst the goal frenzy, however the game’s defining moment came very late on when Mike Dodds landed an aerial into the D where John Pearson was on hand to slot the ball home to score his first goal in almost two decades. At was for sure a real “I was there when…” moment and brought about astonishing scenes at the pitch as John Pearson was mobbed by the entire team. 9-2 the final score, a superb effort from the whole team. Wightlink Man of the Match was John Pearson for rolling back the years with his well taken effort.