The Bees, back, from left, Jamie O’Rourke, Kieran O’Callaghan, GC Giancovich, GP Giancovich, Danny Mew, Sam Hart and Gavin Prescott. Front, Matt Evans, Kieran Ford and Adam Fendyke. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
PICTURE GALLERY
BEACH SOCCER
THE Bees won their ninth Ryde Taxis Beach Soccer Premier League title on Sunday, after dominating their winner-takes-all match against Wight Stripes at Appley.
Confirming their status as the Island’s most successful beach soccer side, The Bees opened up a 6-0 lead in the first two periods of the match, before Wight Stripes made a defiant stand in the final session, scoring four unanswered goals.
Bees controlled the match from the first kick and took a deserved lead when Jamie O’ROURKE netted from mid-range. Sam HART doubled the advantage before GC GIANCOVICH virtually put the game out of sight shortly afterwards.
The second period saw more Bees’ domination, with Dan MEW netting from within his own half, Matt EVANS producing the goods with a bicycle kick and GIANCOVICH bagging his second direct from a free kick.
But the Bees were guilty of taking their foot off the gas in the final period and goals from Jake YOUNIE, Darren POWELL, two, and Jared WETHERICK, with a penalty, made the score more flattering.
But the day was for the Bees, and they were presented with their trophy and medals immediately after the game.
Earlier in the day, The Bees had edged Ryde Sports 4-3, while Stripes had demolished BSC Galaxy 15-2. Sandown Sociedad defeated Solent Santos 11-7, by then lost to Shanklin Sharks 4-3. Sharks completed a good day with a 9-4 win over Galaxy.
Double victory was enjoyed by WKR Santos, who beat Solent Santos 6-5 and Ryde Sports 8-3.
The next beach soccer event is the ISG Charity tournament, including youth and senior sides, on August 12.
It aims to raise money and awareness for the ISG group (www.ichthyosis.org.uk)
• Final table in the Friday, August 3, County Press.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
Click on the image for a larger version.