Past Match Report
After all the hype and build-up the time had finally come for the game that would settle the division two title, and boy the game didnt dissapoint !!
Handshake Before Business
On a beautifull Bank-Holiday Monday evening in front of a crowd about 200 both teams started the match at a frantic pace. End to end action saw Brading come closest in the opening exchanges with Ventnor shot-stopper Tim Douglas being kept right up to his very best !!
Our recent hectic schedule looked to have taken it toll on the lads as Brading asserted their superiority midway through the first half. High ball after high ball our goal was bombarded with action until Brading broke the deadlock with a much deserved opener for 1-0.
More Work For Mr Douglas !!
At 1-0 Brading Town continued to "Throw The Kitchen Sink" at us, a tempo they kept going till the half time whistle. The one conceeded goal being a god-send for Ventnor as we could have been going in at least 3 or 4 nil down if it wasnt for a certain Mr Douglas in our goal !!
Brading Celebrate Their First Goal !!
Out for the second and Ventnor were put straight on the back-foot as an awesone Brading eleven continued to keep us hemmed in our own half.
The chain of events only halted when manager "Mank" made a tactical switch bringing on Kym Kullander in place of injured striker "Spence". The gifted young reserve team player who looks to have earned himself a permanent first team place showed his incredible pace from the start pressuring the brading back line on numerous occasions.
AK Gives Advice To Sub Kym
He was rewarded for his efforts when a through ball fell perfectly for him which, to the delight of the Ventnor fans he slammed passed the sprawled Brading keeper to equal the tie up at 1-1.
Jake Tries To Lob The Keeper
Amost immediately we were back under the cosh with Brading looking more urgent than ever !! Trying to freshen up the legs "Mank" bought on Joe MacKenzie in place of an exhausted Jake Ballantyne on whom the recent match schedule had taken its toll the most !!
End to end stuff ensued for the next ten to fifteen minutes with chances for both sides at both ends of the park, but it was Brading who made the vital breakthrough when gifted a corner with a few minutes left on the clock. Scrambling in the box everyone tried to clear the ball but were beaten to the shot by the Brading striker for 2-1.
Brading Get Their Second From A Corner
With a professional touch Brading Town (Res) played the clock down and in doing so scooped the league title. In what many expected to be the "Match Of The Season" neither side let anyone down in producing one of the best matches played at Ventnor for many a year !!
Brading Celebrate League Title
Our congratulations go out to "Loud" Chris Hitchcock and his lads on a great season we look forward to playing you at the higher level next term.
As for our "Website Man Of The Match" award a few players caught my eye including our goal scorer Kym whos pace is exceptional, Jake for playing his heart out and Gray Parsons for overall strength of presence on the pitch. But for this weeks award ive got to make it Tim Douglas in our goal. If it wasnt for Tim the scoreline would have been far larger than it was. His abillity to handle either high or low balls made the difference. Well done son, a great game. Look forward to more of the same next year !!
