Goalkeeper Gareth True, and defender Andy Rann, look on helplessly as Bemerton strike again. Picture by Mavis Siddons.
FOOTBALLBrading Town 2, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 5
A DISASTROUS opening ten minutes from Brading Town condemned them to defeat at home to second-placed Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Saturday.
Brading were unable to contain a Bemerton side who came out of the blocks flying, and took advantage of a sleepy Romans’ defence to take the lead inside two minutes.
They doubled their advantage five minutes later, when Gareth True was harshly judged to have brought down a Bemerton player. Despite his protests that he gathered the ball fairly, the referee would not budge, and the mainlanders slotted home.
Matters went from bad to worse two minutes later, when they tapped in a third goal with ease, and it looked as though it was going to be a long afternoon for the hosts.
However, Brading, to their credit, began to retain possession and put together attacks, which as the half went on, became more meaningful.
With 22 minutes gone, they earned a free kick just outside the box for a handball, and Ollie Wilson’s kick to the top right corner was spectacularly gathered by the goalkeeper.
Minutes later, Brading had another chance, but Scott Lawson’s shot was well over.
But as Brading attacked, they left holes within their defence and on the counter attack, Bemerton pounced to make it 4-0.
As the half drew to a close, Brading finally got the breakthrough they so desperately needed, when new signing Phil MCDONALD got his first goal for the club from around ten yards out.
The second half was generally far more even, with Brading pulling it back to 4-2 when Nathan LEWIS slotted home after a great run down the right.
However, the Romans were unable to claw back further goals, and Bemerton restored the three-goal cushion they so quickly built in the first half, with a tap-in around ten minutes from the end.
Brading Town: True, Quigley, Lewis, Rann, Fleming, Lawson, Younie, Wilson, Browne, Woods, McDonald. Subs: Ford, Hull, Woodnutt, Hayward.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk