SHANKLIN'S five-point lead at the top of Division 1 of the Island League has been cut to two after they dropped their first points of the season in a surprise defeat at Northwood St John.
The league leaders, who won all six of their opening games, went down 2-1, with Jason Malcolmson and Arthur Balchin scoring Northwood's goals, with Sam Mosely scoring the consolation.
Northwood, who also took the scalp of Brading earlier this season by the same scoreline, have moved up to fifth, three points adrift of Shanklin.
Meanwhile, surprise high flyers West Wight moved into second with their empahtic 6-1 victory at struggling Carisbrooke United and Brading Town moved up to third, behind West Wight on goal difference, following their 5-1 win at Bembridge — their fifth loss on the bounce.
Defending champions Whitecroft and Barton ended their bad run with a 2-0 win at home to Ryde Saints.
In Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wessex League, Newport lost their third consecutive game in all competitions — a 3-0 loss at the hands of United Services Portsmouth at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes.
The defeat sees them slip to sixth place.
East Cowes Vics had a tough afternoon away at league leaders Laverstock and Ford — beaten 4-0, to end their encouraging recent run.
TODAY'S RESULTS (SATURDAY)
Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division: Shaftesbury v Cowes Sports (postponed).
Division 1: Laverstock & Ford 4, East Cowes Vics 0; Newport 0, United Services Portsmouth 3.
Hampshire Combination and Development Football League, West Division: Newport Reserves 0, Colden Common 2.
Harwoods Island League Division 1: Bembridge 1, Brading Town 5; Carisbrooke United 1, West Wight 6; Cowes Sports Reserves 2, Binstead & COB 2; Northwood St John 2, Shanklin 1; Sandown 3, ECS 4; Ventnor 2, Vectis 3; Whitecroft & Barton Sports 2, Ryde Saints 0.
Division 2: Newport A 0, Osborne Coburg 6; Oakfield 3, Adgestone 0; Pan Sports 2, Niton Community 3; Seaview 2, Newchurch 2; Yarmouth & Calbourne 4, Wootton 4.
Combination 1: Binstead & COB Reserves 3, Northwood St John Reserves 3; Brading Town Reserves 5, Seaview Reserves 0; ECS Reserves 6, Carisbrooke United Reserves 1; Ryde Saints Reserves 1, Oakfield Reserves 1; Shanklin Reserves 1, Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 4; West Wight Reserves 2, Sandown Reserves 2.
Combination 2: Wootton Reserves 0, Sandown A Reserves 1; Newchurch Reserves 1, Ryde Saints A 1; Niton Community Reserves 6, Yarmouth & Calbourne Reserves 1; Osborne Coburg Reserves 1, Bembridge Reserves 2.
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