The Mens 1st XI continued with their improved performances but could not come up with the goals as they lost 0-2 away from home against Haslemere 2nd XI. Wightlink Man of the Match Tom Speer was at his best to to repel a number of attacks but despite some excellent play the island could not find the goals they deserve to get. The team can be proud of their perfomance though as they look towards next season with renewed hope. The team remain 9th with 3 games remaining, 7 points clear from next placed Trojans 3s, who do though have a game in hand, and 11 points clear from the drop zone. Next week the team are at home to Bournemouth 3rd XI knowing victory will put any remaining doubts about safety to bed.
The Mens 2nd XI recovered from their blip against Romsey with a comfortable 8-0 victory at home to Swanage and Wareham 2nd XI. Five goals in the first half, 2 from Johnny Kirby, and a goal apiece from captain Mike Dodds, Carl Joyce and Rio Penne-Grice put the game well beyond the opposition. The second half saw Johnny Kirby complete his hat trick before Pete MacKnight smashed one in from a short corner and Joe Arnold scored the best of the bunch with a shot from an acute angle high into the Swanage net. Wightlink Man of the Match was shared between Johnny Kirby, Joe Arnold and Ethan Edmunds-Lamb. The team are level on points with Trojans but are top with a superior goal difference and have a game in hand. The team are away to Salisbury next week for their penultimate match of the season knowing that a win should secure the title and promotion.
The Ladies 1st XI remain 4th in the league after suffering another defeat, losing 0-3 to Winchester 2nd XI. Despite a very battling performance from the whole team they were unable to get on the scoresheet with Winchester scoring three without reply. On Sunday the ladies hosted Fleet and Ewshot in the Hampshire trophy and despite a good fight were knocked out at home, losing 2-3, with goals from Jessica Mudge and Harriet Mack not quite enough to overcome the team who are also favourites to win the same league as the 1s are in. Next week in the league the team host Haslemere 2nd XI at home.
The Ladies 2nd XI put in a very impressive display at home to Petersfield 2nd XI winning 7-1. Goals came courtesy of a hat trick from Alice Aldridge-Snell, Megan Bridger, Jessica Mudge, Ella Whittington and Maisie Witty. The side remain 8th in the league, however with only 3 games remaining safety is in their own hands though they can no longer finish any higher. Next week they have an away trip to Winchester 3rd XI.
The Ladies 3rd XI were very unlucky as they went away to Romsey and ultimately lost 0-1. Romsey struck late in the first half and despite constant pressure on the Romsey defence in the second half the ladies were unable to breach the Romsey defence to get the much deserved equaliser. This was a notable perfomance however especially when considering they had the bare 11 players compared to Romsey’s full squad of 15 and there are some very promising signs here for the future. Wightlink Man of the Match was Lottie. The side are still 5th in the league and with four games to play they could see themselves get into the top four. Next week they are at home to Haslemere 5th XI.