Whitecroft and Barton (W&B) have gone top of the Isle of Wight Saturday Football Division 1, after beating title rivals, Shanklin.
In front of a crowd of around 200 people at the County Ground, the visitors got off to the perfect start, taking the lead inside the first ten minutes.
An out-swinging corner was flicked on for Matt Evans to nod the ball in from inside the six-yard box.
Featuring several Wessex League players, the away side doubled their lead just moments later when centre back, Marty McDonough, headed home after a flick on from a free kick. McDonough - captain of Newport FC - is one of a number of players who signed for Island Saturday league teams when the Wessex League was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.
W&B captain, Joe Rayner, was booked midway through the first half in a game that threatened to spill over as tempers heightened. Remarkably, Rayner was the only player booked in the game, despite some questionable refereeing decisions.
Shanklin clawed their way back into the game three minutes into the second half, when W&B defender, Graeme Baste, brought down Ryan Gregory inside the box. Newport veteran, Iain Seabrook, coolly slotted home to make it 1-2.
The home side had the chance to draw level, but Jai Nash - signed from East Cowes Vics - saw his effort saved by Gareth True.
The visitors kept pushing and a third goal arrived when a free kick was only half cleared. Promising full back, Ryan Hughes - also signed from Newport - picked the ball up and unleashed a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.
Shanklin kept battling and were rewarded with a second goal when Pete Wilson lost his marker to head in Seabrook's corner, ten minutes from time.
Joe Craig looked to wrap up the points for the current league champions, but he blazed his shot over the bar. Josh Appell, who kept the Shanklin defence busy, also had a chance to add a fourth.
The home team piled on the pressure in a bid to get an equaliser, throwing men forward, but were punished four minutes from the end. Defender, Ben Gregory's header back to his own goalkeeper fell short, allowing Charlie Urry to nip in to lift the ball over the despairing Ward and into the net.
Final score: Shanklin 2-4 W&B
Elsewhere in Division 1, Brading Town kept their title dreams alive when they were awarded a 3-0 win and three points after Bembridge couldn't raise a team. The same was awarded to Cowes Sports Reserves against Ventnor. Northwood St Johns beat East Cowes Vics 3-1, while Binstead won 2-1 at West Wight. Sandown and Carisbrooke drew 0-0.
In Division 2, leaders Oakfield won 2-1 at Pan Sports, while second place, Niton, thrashed Newport A 13-2. AFC Wootton beat Adgestone 2-1, Newchurch won 3-1 at Osborne Coburg and Seaview won 6-1 at Wroxall.
VIDEO: Highlights Shanklin v W&B (contains some strong language)
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