AS WE near the end of the football season and cup finals come thick and fast, fans of old rivals Brading Town and Shanklin will be looking forward to this year's Isle of Wight Memorial Cup this evening (Tuesday) — their second battle within the space of three days.

The match, at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes, could draw a big crowd — especially after Saturday's game and the fact the competition was cancelled the past two seasons due to Covid.

Shanklin miraculously won the Island League Division 1 title at Brading on Saturday — and in style — beating them 5-1 and denying Whitecroft and Barton Sports their seventh consecutive title.

Read: Shanklin crowned Isle of Wight League champions with victory at Brading

There were about 400 there to watch the game. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Kyle Drew (wearing 10) celebrates scoring a late goal against Brading on Saturday. Photo: Mathew WellsKyle Drew (wearing 10) celebrates scoring a late goal against Brading on Saturday. Photo: Mathew Wells

With the monkey off their back after coming so close to winning silverware in recent seasons, Shanklin will be aiming to finish the season off with a flourish — with a treble in their sights.

Brading, who will consider Saturday's result a blip after going on an excellent winning league run, which had seen them fly up the table from fifth bottom to fourth, will go into the game with a point to prove.

Despite the first team going through a period of change after losing some of their key players from last season, Brading have still played some memorable cup games this campaign — beating W&B away in the third round of this season's Memorial Cup and reaching the semi-final of the Hampshire Saturday Trophy.

Isle of Wight County Press: Braading captain Dan Vale will be a goal threat for Shanklin tonight. Photo: Mathew Wells.Braading captain Dan Vale will be a goal threat for Shanklin tonight. Photo: Mathew Wells.

Last season, Brading famously beat Shanklin comprehensively in the final of the Hampshire Intermediate Cup, which has stirred up a fascinating local derby rivalry, which they take into tonight's final.

Meanwhile, Shanklin have got better and better this season, with few disagreeing they deserved to win the title on Saturday after pushing W&B so close before.

The last time Brading or Shanklin won the Memorial Cup was back in 2007, when Shanklin lifted it (as they also did in 2006). 

The Romans have not won the Memorial Cup for 35 years.

Shanklin boss, Paul Haward, said: "Now we've got the title under our belts, hopefully we will be relaxed going into the Memorial Cup final.

"One thing's for sure, Brading are a good side and won't make it easy for us." 

Kick-off tonight at 7.30pm.