Brading Town have won the Isle of Wight Memorial Cup after beating Shanklin 2-0.
On a rain soaked pitch at Beatrice Avenue, it was Brading who were out for revenge after Shanklin secured the Saturday League Division One title with a 5-1 win over their opponents at the weekend (14).
It was Shanklin who started the stronger, with George Carter-Knight and Jai Nash both missing early chances - the latter having a shot cleared off the line when a goal seemed certain, inside the first five minutes.
In an end-to-end first half an hour, Brading could have also taken the lead. Todd Connor saw his header sail past the post, while Barry Calvert's effort was cleared off the line by Shanklin skipper, Iain Seabrook.
A rasping 20-yard effort from Shanklin left-back, Neo Lamb, just wouldn't drop under the crossbar, as the teams went into the half-time break level.
With both sides continuing to cancel each other out in an entertaining game, the controversial turning point came just after the hour mark.
A short pass back by Seabrook to Shanklin goalkeeper, Dan Ward, allowed Cavert to nip in. He was met by a challenge from Ward just outside his area, with the 'keeper making clear contact with the ball, before the pair collided. Referee, Andy Jones, and his linesman, Ian Smith, had other ideas though and - to the shock of almost every spectator at the ground - Ward was shown a dubious red card.
Defender, Aaron Burford - who was one Shanklin's strongest performers - donned the gloves. From the resulting free-kick, Burford pulled off a spectacular save, only to see the rebound prodded home by Calvert. Minutes later, Brading captain, Dan Vale, who was named Man of the Match, added a second for the Romans, to secure a deserved 2-0 win in the cup's centenary year.
Shanklin have another shot at glory next week, when they play Whitecroft and Barton in the final of the Challenge Cup at Brading's Peter Henry ground on Tuesday (24).
Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio after the match, Brading Town manager, Steve Lawton, said:
"We've had a difficult season after losing a lot of players after last year's Hampshire Cup final win. But tonight has made it all worth it. Shanklin are a very good side - and they showed that against us on Saturday - but I think we got our tactics spot on tonight."
Speaking about the sending off, Lawton - who confirmed he will lead the Reds again next season - added:
"If I'm being honest, I couldn't really see the incident, but most people seem adamant that the goalkeeper did get a touch on the ball. But we've had a lot go against us this year, so I'll take whatever we can get. I'm over the moon for the club. It's our 150th year and to win the cup is just perfect."
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