ISLAND FOOTBALL
Goalmouth action in the game between Cowes Sports Reserves and title holders Whitecroft and Barton Sports in Division 1 of the Isle of Wight Saturday League. Photos: Sandra Power IT S HARD to believe we re barely half-way through the season and this coming Tuesday s Division 1 match between the top two sides Shanklin and Whitecroft and Barton Sports could already prove to be crucial in the race for the title. Both sides have started to open a little shaft of daylight between them and the other chasing clubs three games after lockdown measures were eased after both winning tough games on paper yesterday (Saturday).
SHANKLIN remain top of Division 1 of the Isle of Wight Saturday League with a hard-fought victory, while defending champions Whitecroft and Barton Sports hang on to their coat-tails. With every result from now until the end of the season like a cup final for the division s top teams, there will be a degree of nerves, amid the rustiness of returning from a four-month lay-off due to Christmas and the third lockdown which immediately followed. Shanklin had a tricky game away at improving Ryde Saints snatching a 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, it was back-to-back 1-0 wins for W&B in the space of a few days this time at home to a decent Cowes Sports Reserves side, boosted by some current and former first team players not playing any more Wesssex League Premier football this season.