The Bees’ Kyle Levrier tries an overhead kick behind England’s Steve Black. Picture by Robin Crossley.
BEACH SOCCERIT ONLY took them seven years, but Sandown Sociedad have regained the IW Beach Soccer Super Cup, after two days of intense action.
The side, who last won the sand sculpture trophy in 2005, defeated The Bees 3-2 in a scintillating final, with Shanklin Sharks taking third place by beating an England select XI, managed by Terry Bowes, in a play-off.
The final saw Sociedad take an early lead through Josh Younie but goals from GC Giancovich and Matt Evans put The Bees in the lead. In his first season for Sociedad, Spike Pearce levelled the scores before Levi Collins produced a stunning overhead kick to win it.
Earlier, Sociedad had defeated favourites England 6-2 in the semi-finals, with the Islanders on fire as Josh Younie scored four blistering goals to silence the international team and at the other end goalkeeper Gareth True pulling off some heroic saves.
The other semi-final had seen the Bees deadly in goal against Shanklin Sharks, winning 4-2.
The other quarter-finals saw Sociedad beat Ryde Sports 4-3 in an end-to-end match, The Bees cruise past BS Galaxy 9-3, England defeat Solent Santos 8-2, and Sharks beat Sociedad Vets 5-2.
The competition, now in its 11th year, featured 15 teams, five from the mainland, who took part in 32 games on the first day at Appley, scoring almost 140 goals.
The teams were split into three groups of five, with the winners and runners-up making the knock-out stages, along with the next two best sides.
Winning group A were The Bees, with Solent Santos winning group B, and Shanklin Sharks winning Group C. Winners Sociedad were the best runners-up.
Luke Kerr, who played for Sandown Sociedad Veterans while also running the event, said: "It has been an incredibly busy weekend but it has been brilliant. The quality of football has been incredible and some of the goals amazing. And with all the people in Ryde for the jubilee weekend we’ve had lots of spectators too."
Awards, sponsored by RTC Trophies, went to Shanklin Sharks (bronze medal), The Bees (silver medal), Sandown Sociedad (overall trophy) Levi Collins (best player), Josh Younie (top goal scorer) and Gareth True (best goalkeeper).
• More pictures in the Friday, June 8, County Press.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk