2pm 10 October 2020
Isle of Wight League, Division One
Whitecroft and Barton Sports 1 Shanklin 2 (att 110)
It's 32 years since I last ticked a ground in the Isle of Wight League. That was a pre-season friendly when FA Cup holders Wimbledon visited Shanklin, winning 6-0 and having Vinnie Jones sent off in the process.
Having spent the last week or so on the island, and having been to all the clubs who play in mainland leagues, it wasn't hard to pick the day's standout domestic match. Both Whitecroft and Barton, and Shanklin, had won all their opening four fixtures.
Early exchanges suggested the home side were more likely to keep their perfect start intact, as Shanklin struggled for possession beyond the halfway line. But the visitors dug in and had got more into the game by the time a goalless first half ended.
Shanklin built on that quickly after the restart. A penalty put them ahead, and barely two minutes later a great move was well finished to double their lead.
The home side had plenty of time to get back into the game, and looked dangerous when they came forward. A soft-looking penalty gave them hope with 20 minutes to play but, despite putting the visiting defence under a lot of pressure, they couldn't score again.
Whitecroft and Barton's ground is accessed via a narrow track from Sandy Lane, itself a narrow road a couple of miles south of Newport. It's something of a gem for this level, as befits a side that has been the dominant force in island football in recent years.
There's a clubhouse, containing a tea bar, and a small seated stand built onto the front. A pair of dugouts face the undulating pitch, which is roped off. Thankfully, given the narrowness of the approach roads, there's also plenty of space for parking.
Hopefully it won't take me another 32 years before I get around to visiting my next Isle of Wight League venue.
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