Hotshots Delting make it seven in a row
Delting made it seven wins from seven matches in senior hockey’s Association Rosebowl league with a single goal win over Scalloway, while Whalsay had a good week with victories over both Spurs and Scalloway.
Association Rosebowl
Whalsay 2, Spurs 0
Both teams started lively, eager to create early chances. Spurs had good attacking play down the left wing with Kristen Jeromeson and Sarah Grogan linking well but Whalsay’s Maree Simpson and Faye Goodlad were able to thwart any imposing strikes on goal. Morag Fox did come close, missing the target by a matter of inches.
Whalsay always looked dangerous on the counter attack with Catherine Williamson and Vicky Irvine providing good service into Angelina Jamieson but Susan Morrison, who had an excellent game, was quick to clear any danger.
The deadlock was finally broken after 28 minutes when Whalsay were awarded a short corner. Alison Williamson passed the ball out to Dianne Shearer whose terrific strike found the back of the goal to give Whalsay the advantage going into half time.
Spurs came out fighting in the second half, determined to level things up. Good passing and movement down both flanks drew Whalsay out and Sarah Grogan was able to utilise the space created in the middle of the pitch but the Whalsay defence stood firm and with the aid of Emily Shearer who protected her back three well. Spurs were unlucky not to score from close range but Shona Moncrieff made a few excellent saves to ensure Whalsay maintained their lead.
With Spurs pushing for an equaliser Whalsay exposed them at the back when a great through ball was picked up by Victoria Duthie who ran on to score Whalsay’s second. The remainder of the game was still being played at the high tempo as from the outset. Spurs continued to press on and tried to salvage something from the game but they were unable to break Whalsay.
Players of the match were Dianne Shearer for Whalsay and Susan Morrison for Spurs.
Scalloway 0, Delting 1
An evenly matched game saw both teams working their hardest to deny the opposition time, space or goal-scoring opportunities.
Delting got off to a quick start, welcoming back numerous students to their line-up. Scalloway stood strong, utilising their substitutes to maximum capacity.
Brenda Leask dictated in the Delting central midfield role, linking up well with Toni Sidgwick who was a constant threat near the circle. Scalloway’s Nicola Smith and Naomi Johnson worked tirelessly together chasing and running down every ball putting early pressure on Delting’s Jill Hibbert and Rhiannon Inkster at the back.
Lots of switching play from both teams kept the ball moving at a frantic pace with both sets of defence put under continuous pressure. Scalloway’s Julie brown worked well on the right of defence to contain Megan Hibbert who regularly was sneaking behind the defensive line looking for the early through ball Near the end of the first half, with Scalloway slipping up with a weak pass, Delting’s Leask pounced on the opportunity and passed the ball inside to Sidgwick. She sent the ball wide to Hibbert junior who was left unmarked to tap the ball over the line in the 32nd minute to end the half 1-0 in Delting’s favour.
Scalloway, happy with their team performance in the first half, kept legs fresh by using rolling subs constantly in the second half, and really believed they could get a goal back. Amanda Cumming up front linked well with Hannah Burgess and with Lauren Anderson in close support, Scalloway were working the ball well around the park looking for the opening but to no avail.
In the dying minutes the organised Scalloway defence, starting to show signs of tiring, gave away their first penalty corner of the evening, but Scalloway shot out quickly to the ball and were relieved to see it sail wide. Players of the match were Brenda Leask for Delting and Kerri Redfern for Scalloway.
Scalloway 1, Whalsay 4
Both teams started well with Whalsay having the first pressing attack on Scalloway’s defence. That led to a short corner and saw Whalsay’s Diane Shearer strike a lovely ball from the top of the circle to score the opening goal.
Scalloway fought back with some great midfield play between Nicola Smith, Mhairi and Kate Moncrieff but were unlucky not to score in the first half.
The second half picked up with some great linking play from the Scalloway side where Mel Inkster struck the ball off nicely to Nicola Smith to score the equaliser.
Whalsay started to apply more pressure, resulting in a goal from Angelina Jamieson. They then up the pace of the game with some great attacks from Maggie Kay Irvine and Maree Simpson with Scalloway’s Cyndi Pottinger and Anne-Marie Robinson working tirelessly in defence and Christine Georgeson making some great saves in the Scalloway goal.
Whalsay were then awarded two short corners which saw a second goal from Jamieson and one from Catherine Williamson. Scalloway never gave up but Whalsay proved to be the stronger side with some excellent passing and good linking play.
Players of the match were Nicola Smith for Scalloway and Diane Shearer for Whalsay.
Zetland v Juniors
No report was received.
Fixtures
Monday: Juniors v Whalsay at 6.30pm (Simon Skinner/Helen Robertson); Zetland v Spurs at 7.50pm (Simon Skinner/Whalsay rep).
Thursday: Spurs v Zetland at 6.30pm (Simon Skinner/Janice Johnston); Whalsay v Juniors at 7.50pm (Simon Skinner/Janice Johnston).
Training
Sixty-six keen and enthusiastic young players attended the first of the training sessions organised by Douglas Reid at the weekend and everyone enjoyed a variety of drill practises in glorious weather.
Both Shetland Ladies Hockey Association and the Junior Hockey Association would like to wish the junior inter-county team and coaches Stacey Laurenson and Kristen Robertson good luck in their forthcoming match against Orkney.
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South coach Reid to take charge of senior county side
Shetland Ladies Hockey Association staged a successful event on Saturday with visiting international coach Douglas Reid.
A number of local coaches and players delivered an exciting morning of drills for 70 youngsters from all over Shetland.
Children aged from eight to 18 worked through eight stations during the morning, playing mini games and practising core skills.
For some it was their first taste of hockey and for the older group a great opportunity to get in some extra practise for the forthcoming junior inter-county.
Association president Helen Robertson said she was very pleased with how the day had gone.
She said: “All the hard work that went into today has played off. We’ve had a good turnout and the children have had a great morning learning new skills and meeting junior hockey players from all over Shetland. We are grateful to Douglas Reid for making the trip and clearly inspiring all the children here today.”
Douglas also ran sessions for goalkeepers and for senior players. One player said: “I’ve really benefited from Douglas’s advice and enjoyed the session.”
The association plans to stage more similar events in the future and Mrs Robertson said she would like to thank the SIC sports and leisure department for the financial support.
Visiting coach Mr Reid has also been named as coach for the senior inter-county squad, with the challenge of preparing the players for a game they haven’t won since 2003.
A spokeswoman for the squad said training was going well with some new systems being introduced.
She said: “Team fitness is paramount and he has the squad doing skills and fitness training every day. He is making the trip to Shetland often and local coaches are delivering his session plans while he is in Glasgow.
“Douglas will have us well prepared for the game and his faith in our ability to win is really spurring us on.”
The senior inter-county game against Orkney is at 2pm on Saturday 25th July at Midway Pitch, Brae.
