Disputed decision helps Brading win Isle of Wight Memorial Cup

                                   BRADING TOWN 2, SHANKLIN 0

BRADING Town celebrated their first Isle of Wight Memorial Cup in 35 years — but it was a game marred by a controversial refereeing decision which proved pivotal.

The Romans, who had clearly put Saturday's 5-1 defeat against Shanklin behind them, looked a tough nut to crack throughout the game, as did Shanklin, with many in the 200-strong crowd at Beatrice Avenue starting to believe the game had penalties written all over it. 

The heavy rain at the start of the match, gave way to a huge rainbow — and it was Brading who found the pot of gold at the end of it.

At a time when both sides had cancelled each other out, and the result too close to call, Shanklin saw their keeper, Dan Ward, red carded for a challenge in a one-on-one situation with Barry Calvert.

Barry Calvert scores the opening goal — finishing off a great save by stand-in keeper Aaron Burford.

it was a decision met with derision from the Shanklin players, staff and fans, who made their thoughts loud and clear to the referee, linesman and fourth official, who were all perfectly placed to see the incident on the hour.

A weak backpass by the normally reliable Iain Seabrook was intercepted by the forward who was left with only the keeper to beat.

Although the keeper took the ball, the officials clearly considered Ward had taken the man, who writhed on the ground, as if poleaxed.

With Ward gone, former Brading star Aaron Burford, who had been magnificent in defence for Shanklin all evening, suddenly donned the keeper's jersey.

Man of the match, Brading Town skipper Dan Vale, finishing off a weak cross to make it 2-0 against Shanklin.

Brading ruthlessly took full advantage of the situation.

Burford's first action was to face the free kick awarded for the red carded foul 25 yards out — which he did well to save down to his left, only for the alert Calvert to easily mop up the loose ball, slamming it home on 65 minutes, with not a Shanklin player to be seen.

The Romans now looked very comfortable, restricting the frustrated and rattled Seasiders to long range efforts that consistently flew over the bar.

In fact, Brading's giant stopper, Ben Gearing, had a relatively quiet cup final.

It helped he had an excellent defence in front of him — Sam Knowles in particular, a colossus, and every bit as effective as Burford was, winning everything in the air Shanklin could throw at him. 

On 75 minutes, Brading sealed victory when a scuffed cross from the left, evaded several Shanklin players at the back and the ball fell perfectly for man of the match, Dan Vale, to finish easily past Burford from close in.

Shanklin tried to get their normally excellent passing game going, but they just kept on hitting the Brading brick wall.

Had blues forward George Carter-Knight finished a golden scoring opportunity after just five minutes into the game, it may well have been a different story for them.

Afterwards, proud Brading chairman, Geoff Ruck, said: "What a brilliant result. Shanklin looked dangerous at the start and I was getting a little worried, but I think we looked the better side as the game went on and we deserved it — playing very similarly to how we did in the Hampshre Cup final against Shanklin last season.

"I thought Knowlesy was outstanding for us tonight."

Shanklin will still hope they can win a league and cup double when they face Whitecroft and Barton Sports, in the final of the Isle of Wight Challenge Cup, next Tuesday, May 24, at the Peter Henry Ground, Brading.