The winning Binstead team. Picture by Peter Boam.
FOOTBALL
Binstead COB 3, Seaview 1
A DOUBLE strike from Jordan Love helped bring Binstead back from the brink of defeat and lead them to glory in the Ryde and District Cup final on Wednesday night.
In a bruising encounter against fellow IW Saturday League Division 2 side Seaview, Binstead pulled away in the final five minutes of the game, with the final score perhaps flattering them.
Seaview were arguably the hungrier of the two teams at a freezing East Cowes Vics FC, and with the tackles flying in from all quarters, it was not a surprise referee Andy Doncaster was very busy.
Free kick after free kick were issued, making the pace very stop-start, but eventually Seaview began to pressurise and just a minute after Marc Isaacson headed over the bar, they won a penalty when Lewis FLEMING was brought down in the box. He confidently scored the spot-kick and Seaview went into the break with a deserved lead. Substitute Max Reeve, on early for the injured James Crofts, really impressed.
In the second half, Binstead looked to make amends and did so quickly, when LOVE broke down the left wing and produced a great curling shot which Seaview goalkeeper Rick Muspratt got a finger to, but couldn’t stop.
Extra time was looming when LOVE struck again, once again breaking down the left and this time moving in front of goal before coolly slotting home.
In the four minutes of added time, Binstead capitalised on tired Seaview legs with a third goal, a rebounded shot by Zak Younie, to put a shine on their victory.
Seaview: Muspratt, Vanner, Crofts, Isaacson, Haward, Badham, Austin, Mew, Fleming, Parsons, Pocock. Subs: Morgan, Reeve, Willsmer.
Binstead: Anker, Squibb, Crook, Wood, Love, Bast, Crates, Smith, Kerr, Younie, Woods. Subs: Toms, Slade, Barton, Kish, Murphy.