Good start for Delting and Spurs

THE SENIOR hockey calendar saw the start of the Shearer Shield single league last week. Delting and Spurs both took home 3-0 wins, Whalsay were successful with a 2-0 victory and Burra and Spurs drew 2-2.
The senior inter-county takes place a week tomorrow with the Shetland team travelling down to Kirkwall to compete for the Lady Hamilton Cup.

Shearer Shield
Delting 3, Burra 0

Delting made a strong start with the forwards pressuring the Burra defence from the outset. Julia Halcrow and Sarah Cooper controlled the defence well to clear the danger.

After continued pressure from Delting and determination at the goal mouth Lorraine Johnson was first to get her name on the score sheet.

Burra worked tirelessly in defence with Sarah Young ready to take the ball upfield at any opportunity.

However, Delting were confident in attack and forced some penalty corners. The ball was played in from the corner by Brenda Leask and Jillian Copland allowed the ball to continue through to Janetta Williamson who was able to enter the circle and strike the ball goalwards. A deflection saw Delting go 2-0 up at half time.

Burra started well after the break and attacked through good link-up play from Josie Jamieson and Kristan Robertson, forcing Clare Stout in the Delting goal to make a clearance. Delting had to be quick on their feet in order to delay the speedy attacks from Burra.

The Delting defence maintained their composure and distributed the ball well to midfield, thwarting all the pressure from Burra. A fast break from Delting saw the ball played across goal from Julie Kirkness allowing Megan Hibbert to slot home at close range the third and final goal.

Best for Burra was Julia Halcrow with Jillian Copland taking the honours for Delting.

Spurs 3, Scalloway 0

Scalloway took to the field with only 10 players, giving Spurs the upper hand from the beginning. This did not deter Scalloway, however, as Spurs found it difficult to breakdown the midfield.

Spurs kept building up their play until they were eventually awarded a series of short corners. Stacey Laurenson stepped up to score a textbook short corner, leaving the goalie no chance. The goal helped Spurs settle into their quick passing game.

Spurs took control from there on, pushing forward and putting pressure on the Scalloway defence. However, mother and daughter combo Rhiannon and Mel Inkster stood solid at the back.

As Spurs surged ahead Fiona Shearer was given too much space at the top of her shooting circle. The ball was cut back from Morag Fox to Shearer, who creamed the ball first time, sending it cracking into the backboards.

Scalloway came out in the second half after changing their goalie. This released Meg Lauren­son and she roamed and ran at the Spurs defence. This appeared to lift the Scalloway spirits, making life difficult for Spurs. Along with the experience, and vocal commands from Anne Nicolson, now in goals, Spurs were pushing forward but with nowhere to go.

Spurs kept building up their play, using their well established “deep and wide” positions. However, Julie Brown and Michaela Johnson for Scalloway were marking tightly.

It wasn’t long though before Spurs made the breakthrough they were waiting for. Gayle Johnson intercepted the ball in defence, and sailed up the right wing towards the awaiting Laurenson, who selflessly crossed the ball into the circle where Gail Donohue was prowling. Donohue connected beautifully to make it 3-0.

Best on the night was Mhairi Moncrieff for Scalloway for her endless grit and determination. De­spite a good team performance for Spurs, Stacey Laurenson outshone her teammates.

Zetland 0, Whalsay 2

Both sides were fielding many young players and the game began at a fast pace. Eileen Sandison and Zoe Irvine linked up well down Whalsay’s left side, putting pressure on Dawn Anderson and Shona Keith defending on the right for Zetland.

Zetland were not without their chances and Margaret Johnson and Stacey Clark made an effective partnership up front. Zetland wove their way through the Whalsay defence but the Whalsay keeper confidently tapped Helen Robertson’s shot round the post.

Whalsay were straight back on the attack with a counter run down the left by Victoria Duthie. She found Zoe Irvine who swept her pass into the circle where Shelley Sandison was unmarked and placed her shot past stand-in keeper Andrea Morrison.

Undeterred, Zetland pushed for the equaliser and Ingrid Nicol’s sweep was deflected away by Whalsay’s keeper. Ever dangerous on the counter attack Whalsay had another two shots on goal but Morrison cleared her line boldly.

Zetland struggled to link their passes together in the second half and had to work hard to keep the score to one. Whalsay were awarded three consecutive short corners and converted on the third occasion when a clearance from Robertson went straight to Duthie who slotted her shot to the left off the keeper.

New signing Inga Tulloch rejuvenated Zetland who ended the game with some good attacking hockey but the Whalsay defence stood firm.

Best on the night for Zetland was Aimi Keith while for Whalsay Victoria Duthie stood out.

Burra 2, Spurs 2

In the first half Spurs came out strong and had most of the play. Burra’s defence was strong but unable to stop a great shot at goal from Emma Gray after 17 minutes.

Burra stayed determined and fought back, eventually managing to score through Tracey Blance just before the whistle for half time.

It was a more even game in the second half with Burra putting on more pressure with some good runs up the right wing by Kristan Robertson and Josie Jamieson.

The Spurs defence was also strong with Gwen Malcolmson stopping a number of shots across the goal. Gail Donohue for Spurs worked hard encouraging her team and kept them together.

Nine minutes into the second half Spurs were awarded a short corner where Stacey Laurenson passed the ball to Malcolmson who put a lovely shot into the corner, despite Burra keeper Sarah Couper trying her best to save it.

Burra then put on a bit more pressure pushing hard to get the ball up the pitch with some good passing among their players. Burra were eventually awarded a short corner with the first pass going back to Sarah Young who slotted the ball into the goals from a very sharp angle.

With only about 10 minutes left to play both teams worked hard but the score remained at 2-2.

Players of the match were Gayle Johnson for Spurs and Joyce Adamson for Burra.

• There are no hockey fixtures next week due to the senior inter-county.