Hockey teams scramble for points

WITH only a couple of weeks left of senior hockey’s Rosebowl League all the teams have been eager to gain a few more points in the final stages. Scalloway took home a win from a close game against Burra, but the villagers lost their next game against Whalsay, giving the isles team the extra points they need to keep their lead in the league. Delting beat Zetland 2-1 retaining their position in third place, and Juniors were also triumphant against Zetland, moving them up a notch in the table.

Rosebowl League
Scalloway 3, Burra 2

Burra started the stronger team with Kirsten Robertson controlling and pushing up through the left wing. She was ably supported with strong play from Sarah Young and Tracy Blance.

However, Scalloway’s defence held firm and Georgia Laurenson kept her players concentrating on their task. After a strong clearance, Amy Keith broke down the right wing for Scalloway and with some assistance from Lynn Scollay she was in the Burra circle and scored. This gave Scalloway a bit more belief and they came more into the game.

Burra remained strong and determined and with a few minutes gone in the second half Blance scored when her shot hit a defender’s foot and rattled past the goalie’s head to make it 1-1.

The passes among the Burra players were hard, quick and accurate and again they seemed to have the better of the game, but Scalloway was very good in defence and Laurenson’s clearances helped pile pressure on the Burra circle.

Sarah Grogan was making good play down the right side and Burra found themselves having to play a more defensive game. When Scalloway won a short-corner, Laurenson left her sweeping position to collect the hit-in and scored her first goal of the season.

Scalloway had their heads high but it didn’t last for long. Burra stormed down the park and Sarah Young had a splendid strike on goal to make it 2-2.

The game at this stage was very even and it had been a very entertaining evening. Scalloway just pushed that little bit harder and were rewarded when Sarah Grogan popped up to make it 3-2 with about five minutes to play.

Best for Burra on the night was Kirsten Robertson and Georgia Laurenson took the honours for Scalloway.

Delting 2, Zetland 1

This was a fast-paced match from the beginning with end-to-end play. Zetland were pushing forward through some good play from Jessica Bradley who was organising the midfield and forward line well. Delting were good on the counter attack but failed to convert.

The play continued end to end with Zetland taking advantage and scoring through Stacey Clark. Delting fought hard and had several short corners. Janice Johnston in the Zetland goal showed her experience and controlled her defence well to clear the danger. The continued pressure from Delting resulted in Lorraine Johnson getting the equaliser.

The second half continued in the same fashion. Both teams had the luxury of substitutes, which kept the pace of the game going to the end.

The next goal fell to Delting with a great run from Brenda Manson linking with Jillian Copland and on to Jill Hibbert, free in the circle, who smashed the ball into the goal to give Delting the lead.

Zetland continued to attack and Lauren Peterson cleared well to keep them at bay.

Players of this match were veterans Janice Johnston for Zetland and Jill Hibbert for Delting, both proving vital to their teams.

Scalloway 0, Whalsay 1

Whalsay started fairly sprightly working well through Marie Simpson, Eileen Sandison and Deborah Mowat, but Scalloway were equal to the challenge and when both sides settle down it became a fairly equal match.

At a time when Scalloway seemed to be dishing out most of the pressure, Whalsay broke down the right and Mowat beat Scalloway’s defence to make it 1-0 for Whalsay with 23 minutes on the clock.

Scalloway rallied and made continuous attacks up the right, building from Naomi Johnson in defence through to Sarah Grogan and Meg Laurenson. Several times it looked as if Scalloway should score, but Whalsay rebuffed the pressure and would set off on a counter attack.

The second half saw end-to-end play with Fiona Dally playing well in defence for Whalsay and Mel Inkster making some superb tackles for Scalloway. Both teams pressed hard and both rallied and defended well.

Near the end, when Whalsay were pressing in the Scalloway circle, Inkster suddenly lashed out with her foot at the ball to clear it. There was no other decision possible – Whalsay were awarded a penalty flick. Scalloway collectively held their breath as Dally strode up to the penalty spot. She stepped forward and swept the ball towards the goal, but Christine Georgeson was up to the task and saved the shot.

That was how the game ended and Whalsay went home with the points, but an entertaining game could have gone either way.

On form for Whalsay was Marie Simpson who distributed the ball well from midfield. Best for Scalloway was Naomi Johnson who had a wonderful game in her defensive/midfield position.

Zetland 0, Juniors 1

Zetland started well, putting the pressure on the Juniors defence with a shot on goal from Helen Robertson in the first few minutes. However, it was saved well by Juniors stand in goal keeper Lorna Scott.

Juniors had some great attacking runs but these were thwarted by the Zetland defence. Great determination from both teams continued leaving the first half ending scoreless.

The second half started with Juniors putting the pressure on Zetland. Zoe Irvine in midfield was particularly effective in switching the play to Margaret Johnston on the right and Kristen Jeromson on the left.

Zetland had some good runs into the Juniors defence and Helen Robertson and Stacey Clark were unlucky not to capitalise Counter-attacking play from Juniors forced stand in keeper Jessica Bradley to make some excellent saves in the Zetland goal.

With 12 minutes remaining a good run by Juniors’ Zoe Irvine opened up the Zetland defence and ended in a fantastic goal for Juniors which gave the Zetland keeper no chance.

Unfortunately the game was marred when Juniors Amy Keith had to leave the field with an injury and the last few minutes were played out without much momentum on either side.

Best for Juniors was Rhiannon Inkster and while Jessica Bradley stood out for Zetland.

Fixtures

Rosebowl League – Monday: Spurs v Juniors at 6.30pm (Zetland rep/Simon Skinner); Burra v Zetland at 7.50pm (Juniors rep/Morag Fox).

Thursday: Juniors v Scalloway at 6.30pm (Delting rep/Janice Johnson); Whalsay v Delting at 7.50pm (Scalloway rep/Janice Johnson).