Services clinch works knockout trophy
Works football’s DITT Cup final saw an experienced Services side overcome the young pretenders from Mossbank to claim the first silverware of the season. In the Northwards Shetland Works League there was a first win for Lerwick PL as they defeated their nearest rivals Banks in a close game. The Polish team then fell back to earth with a rather big dunt when Burra beat them with a riot of goals, to go joint top with Services.
DITT Cup final
Mossbank 1, Services 4
Mossbank started on the front foot and pegged Services back in their 18-yard box, moving the ball around midfield without really creating anything.
Around the 30-minute mark Tam Greenan picked the ball up in midfield and with an accuracy unlike his previous penalties split the Mossbank defence allowing Mick Davies to run in on goal. He was upended on the edge of the box and Murphy dispatched the resultant free kick into the bottom corner to give services the lead at half time.
After the break Mossbank again started the better side and an excellent pass split the Services defence like the Red Sea and John Hutchison levelled the game.
Services moved in front again when Scott Drummond made a great run into the box before drawing the keeper and finishing in the bottom corner. Services extended their lead with a great run and finish from Duncan Leask and a poacher’s finish from a corner by Davies.
There was still time for Mossbank to reply with a stonewall penalty. However, Services played out the rest of the game to seize the first trophy of the works league season.
DITT representative Peter Tait presented the trophy to the Services captain before they headed off to join the carnival in party mood.
Northwards Shetland Works League
Lerwick PL 4, Banks 2
The Polish team, rumoured to be in negotiations with a local energy firm about sponsorship, with the possibility of becoming the “Hydro Poles”, were desperate to meet their nearest rivals Banks in a six-pointer of a game.
Banks started well and created some good chances, with the Poles having some good counter attacks. The Poles took the lead, to rapturous applause from their excitable support, when Sean Obern fired in an accurate shot from the edge of the box.
Banks had chances to equalise with Ronnie Calderwood and Chris Duncan coming agonisily close. Banks were to pay for their misses as the Poles extended their lead through Kuba Durkowski to make it 2-0 at half time.
Banks fell further behind early in the second half with Durkowski scoring again, but they made a couple of substitutions, changed to a more attacking formation, and got a foothold when veteran Stan Semple scored.
Banks started pushing forward but were caught with a sucker punch when Durkowski completed his hat trick to send the Polish fans into a frenzy.
Banks refused to give up, however, and got another goal back. The Polish keeper wrestled Ryan Mustard to the ground, for which he received a red card and Banks a penalty. Semple saw the stand-in keeper save his spot kick but he followed up to sidefoot the rebound home. Unfortunately for Banks the comeback finished there as the 90 minutes had ticked over.
Best for the Poles were Gregory Majewski and Sean Obern, while Banks were served well by Ronnie Calderwood and Steve Naulls.
Lerwick PL 0, Burra 15
Burra took to the Gilbertson against the Polish team on the back of their first win of the season. The visitors were up to full strength with Lindsay Thomson back and the welcome return of Bradley McKenzie who had been missing with a broken collar bone since April.
After a slowish start the Burra side found their feet and Maurice Fraser opened the scoring with a low drive. Two minutes later Ersin Senturk found Danny Pirie who opened his account for the evening. Twenty minutes gone and McKenzie scored following good play from Thomson and Senturk, and he soon added another with a header from across from Maurice Fraser. McKenzie helped himself to another brace before half time to take his tally to four and make it 6-0.
Mckenzie and John William Laurenson both were rested for the second period but there was no let up for the Polish boys with Pirie scoring four more in the first 10 minutes after the break.
Pirie was replaced at this point but the Burra side kept finding the net at will with Senturk showing good skill to grab a hat trick and young Joshua Fraser showing good composure to round the keeper to score. Iain Black also got the goal he deserved after good play from John William Halcrow to make the final tally 15.
Burra were well served by the entire team but special mention must go to unsung heroes Maurice Fraser, Brydon Pottinger and Lindsay Thomson. McKenzie, Pirie and Senturk again showed they know where the net is and both the John Williams were at the heart of everything in a very solid team performance. Credit must be given to the Polish lads who kept trying to play football right to the finish and they will be unlucky to face another side this season who clicked so well on the night.
Fixtures (Kick-offs 6pm unless otherwise stated) Saturday – Northwards Shetland Works League: Wast Linga Ramblers v Chernobyl at Whalsay (3.30pm); Wastside Rebels v Burra at Aith (5pm); Wrultizers v Banks at Gilbertson Park; Malakoff v Services at Seafield.
Sunday – Northwards Shetland Works League: Mossbank v Lerwick PL at Clickimin South.
