Delting capture first silverware of senior hockey season

Delting’s senior hockey team have lifted the first silverware of the season, working hard to hold on to the lead in the Association Rosebowl which they have held since April.

The latest matches in the Shearer Shield saw wins for Burra, Whalsay and Spurs while the game between Scalloway and Spurs ended in a draw.

Association Rosebowl

Juniors 1, Zetland 1

Juniors could not field a team so Zetland were given the points and the match was played as a friendly, with Jessica Bradley scoring for Juniors and Lara Jamieson for Zetland.

Players of the match were Jessica Bradley for Juniors and Shona Keith for Zetland.

Whalsay 2, Scalloway 0

Both teams were determined to end the league with a win and the game was consequently evenly played.

Naomi Johnson commanded Scalloway’s midfield well and her distribution of the ball allowed Kate Moncrieff and Nicola Smith to challenge Whalsay’s defence. Joanne Stewart made vital clearances in the early stages to thwart Scalloway’s chances of getting on the score sheet.

At the other end Whalsay were unlucky not to take the lead with some staunch defending from Scalloway and the first half ended on a stalemate.

In the second half Whalsay stepped it up a gear. Maggie Irvine worked tirelessly in midfield and her persistence paid off when her through ball found Nicola Duthie at the back post who put it past the Scalloway keeper to give Whalsay the lead.

This goal did not deter Scalloway who continuously fought for an equaliser. It was not to be, however, as Maggie Irvine scored Whalsay’s second when she coolly flicked the ball past the keeper from the edge of the circle.

Players of the match were Maggie Irvine for Whalsay and Nicola Smith for Scalloway.

Shearer Shield

Delting 1, Burra 2

This was the third time Delting and Burra had played in a week. The previous game had seen the teams locked in a draw at the end, but both were determined to gain a win for their first match of the Shearer Shield.

Delting started strongly, applying pressure from midfield players Brenda Leask and Julie Kirkness. Burra remained tight in the circle though, and kept the opposition away from the danger zone.

Delting’s Donna Murray took a strike that seemed to be heading towards the goalmouth but it was cleared from the line by Sarah Young.

Good passing from Burra’s Stacey Laurenson and Kristan Robertson allowed Josie Jamieson to make a break for Burra. Delting defender Rhiannon Inkster made it difficult for the forward to get near the circle but when the ball came back to Jamieson again, she turned in the circle and scored the first goal for Burra, despite the valiant efforts of Toni Sidgwick in goal.

Delting pressed for an equaliser with Lauren Devonald passing balls in well from the right wing and were awarded a few short corners, but Burra keeper Jessica Bradley made sure they kept a clean sheet in the first half.

In the second half Delting reorganised, allowing the old strike force of Julie Kirkness and Jill Hibbert to play up front. Kayti Jeromson worked tirelessly in Burra’s defence, making it difficult for Delting to break through.

Burra midfielder Karen McKelvie positioned herself well to receive the ball from defence and found Josie Jamieson ready in the Delting circle. Sidgwick and Karen Jarvie cleared the initial threat but Julie Keith was there to finish off the effort with the second goal for Burra.

Undeterred by being two goals down, Delting forced Burra to play a more defensive game. Megan Hibbert and Kirkness had several shots saved by a combination of Burra’s defence and keeper, but eventually, after a goalmouth scramble, Kirkness scored for Delting.

With 10 minutes left Delting were keen to get another goal, with Jill Hibbert and Brenda Leask pushing balls through to the Burra circle. But Burra remained composed and did not allow asecond goal.

Players of the match were Rhiannon Inkster for Delting and Kayti Jeromson for Burra.

Spurs 1, Scalloway 1

Spurs were the first to break and were soon putting pressure on Scalloway’s defensive line up of Georgia Laurenson, Ann-Marie Robinson and Cindy Pottinger who were quick to clear the ball, denying any early shots on goal.

Spurs continued to apply pressure and were awarded several short corners, which led to Morag Fox sending in some cracking shots which were narrowly missed by Spurs forward Kirsten Jeromson.

Scalloway showed great determination and continually battled their way through play in midfield which resulted in some threatening runs by Melanie Inkster. But the calm and strong defence of Spurs quickly took back control of the ball and were quick to find Fiona Shearer, Gayle Johnson and Emma Inkster in midfield.

Kristen Jeromson made some excellent solo runs up the side of the park, allowing her to send in some fast balls into the Spurs attacking circle, but her team mates were unable to find the back of the goal.

Scalloway came out fighting in the second half and displayed some good midfield action from Michaela Johnson, Vikki Henderson and Mhari Moncrieff. However, a quick and clever interception from Ava Sim saw Spurs on the attack once more.

A sweet hit from Sim into the circle was picked up by centre forward Karen Mackay who was able to direct the ball passed the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Scalloway were quick to break from the goal and their efforts finally paid off when a lovely touch from Melanie Inkster found Sarah Groat at the back post who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to equalise.

Excellent defensive play from Scalloway’s Georgia Laurenson earned her player of the match for Scalloway and calm and controlled play from Gayle Johnson edged her in front for Spurs.

Zetland 2, Whalsay 4

Zetland made the most positive start with accurate passing between Hannah Irvine, Aimee Keith and Shona Keith.

They continued to dominate and the young team worked well, especially Alice Unsworth, Irvine and Ailsa Sinclair on the left.

Maggie Irvine was in fine form for Whalsay and worked tirlessly to break down the Zetland attack. A quick break through Irvine and Shona Keith found Erica Leask before the Whalsay keeper and an unfortunate deflection put the town team ahead.

Whalsay fought back with Maggie Irvine turning over the Zetland attack on several occasions. The pace of Victoria Duthie on the right wing for Whalsay was a challenge for the Zets but Lisa Johnson and Lara Jamieson kept the danger at bay and Dawn Anderson made two fine saves.

Zetland got their second with a powerful strike from Aimee Keith, which found the Whalsay keeper unsighted.
Whalsay fought back and Nicola Duthie got her first when she swept in a pass from Williamson.

Whalsay started the second half keen to level the scoring. Zetland absorbed 15 minutes of pressure but had lost their shape and were tiring. Whalsay capitalised on this and used both Duthie sisters to great affect on both wings.

Nicola Duthie scored two more, both sweeps at the left post from crosses from the left and Victoria Duthie got a well-deserved goal with 10 minutes to go.

Best on the night were Nicola Duthie for excellent finishing and Shona Keith for her first half performance.

Burra 1, Spurs 2

Both teams started strongly, determined to win but knew it was going to be no easy task. Stacey Laurenson and Kristen Robertson were threats throughout but Spurs handled the pressure well.

A strong hit by Gayle Johnson into the circle was deflected off a Burra stick, resulting in Spurs’ first goal of the match.
Both teams matched each other with good attacking and defensive play making the first half an even contest. Burra came on in the second half determined to get an early goal. They were awarded several short corners but were unable to capitalise, but then a goalmouth scramble saw Karen MacKelvie equalise.

Spurs went ahead again when Karen McKay made a good run to get a touch on a through ball from Fiona Shearer.

Both teams fought to the end, each having numerous shots on goal but the game ended with a victory for Spurs.
Players of the match were Kayti Jeromson for Burra and Fiona Shearer for Spurs.

For tables and fixtures, see this coming Friday’s Shetland Times.