If football matches were judged on excitement, chances created, and sheer determination, Carisbrooke would’ve walked away 6–0 winners. Unfortunately, the only numbers that counted were the ones on the scoreboard. Ryde somehow sneaked away with a 4–2 win in a match that felt more like a plot twist than a sporting contest.

The boys started brightly, moving the ball well despite the classic Isle of Wight combo of sideways rain and winds strong enough to remove corner flags. Jack S, in goal for the first half, dealt brilliantly with tricky long-range efforts that swerved about like they had somewhere else to be.

But football can be cruel. Two unfortunate moments gifted Ryde an unlikely 0–2 lead, moments that will no doubt be described in future legendary retellings as “character-building incidents.”  Despite some lovely ball movement led by Reuben A, Carisbrooke just couldn't get back in the game before the half-time whistle.

Then came the second-half spark. Enter Reuben B, who decided enough was enough and unleashed an absolute rocket from outside the box. The ball thundered into the net to make it 1–2 and suddenly the momentum swung firmly in Carisbrooke’s favour. The boys pushed, pressed, and poured forward.

But Ryde, apparently blessed by the bounce gods, struck twice against the run of play. One was particularly surreal: an awkward rebound off the post hit goalkeeper William H, looped perfectly into the path of a Ryde attacker, and somehow ended up in the net. You couldn’t recreate it if you tried.

Still, the boys kept battling with Daniel M and Harry H making smart interceptions and putting in a solid defensive display alongside William M and Matthew B. Archie T-P putting in the hard yards first on the wing and then at full-back, helped give the team better shape when going forward. The game burst back into life when Mason B-S made a charging run into the box before sliding the ball coolly under the keeper to make it 4-2 and game on once more.

What followed was Carisbrooke domination. William M rattled the crossbar with a stunning effort from range. Moments later he flashed a header agonisingly past the far post. Logan O and Taras M formed a lively, threatening strike partnership. Lincoln P grew into the game the more it went on and started to turn the cogs in the middle of the park. Chance after chance flew just wide, just high, or just needed another minute on the clock.

Despite the pressure, time finally ran out before the comeback could be completed. The boys should be very proud of their display with plenty to build on.

Well done!