Celtic crowned reserve league champions
With the Premier League teams on a break leading up to the inter-county game on Saturday, the focus turned to the Shetland Chiropractic Reserve League title race.
Celtic were crowned champions after Delting could only muster a draw against a Scalloway team on fine home form. John Fraser, representing the Shetland Football Association, and Joanne Middleton from league Sponsors Shetland Chiropractic were on hand at Seafield on Monday night to present Celtic with the Queen’s Hotel Shield as league champions.
The association would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Celtic manager Norrie Peterson and his squad for winning what has been a very competitive season in the reserve league.
Shetland Chiropractic Reserve League
Scalloway 8, Ness United 3
The opening quarter of the game was an even contest with Danny Moncrieff and John Brian Adamson scoring for Scalloway and Alwyn Flaws and Martin Henderson replying for Ness. In the remainder of the half Scalloway added to their tally through Liam Tait, Colin Petrie and an own goal.
In the second half Adamson scored his second of the night before Jamie Allan curled in a free-kick. Kevin Smith broke free to pull a goal back for Ness United before Scalloway’s Davie Henry completed the scoring.
Celtic 3, Whalsay 1
Celtic continued their march towards the league title with a 3-1 victory over the visitors. Goals from Bruce Crossan, Lowrie Simpson and Michael Spence kept them in pole position while Geordie Irvine replied for Whalsay.
Thistle 3, Spurs 7
The town rivals squared up for another high scoring match in the reserve league, Spurs goals coming through a hat trick from the on form Adam Sharp, with the rest coming through Thomas Sinclair, Tor-Neil Halvorsen, Connel Gresham and Danny Finnie. Thistle replied through Gavin Bell and Saul Day, their third coming by way of a Spurs own goal.
Whitedale 2, Delting 4
Delting kept up the pressure on leaders Celtic by securing a good away win at Whitedale. Whitedale took an early lead through a good passing move from their midfield which saw Ryan Jozwik play Stuart Donald through to score.
Delting came back in a entertaining second half first through Callum Clarke and then Shaun Manson. Whitedale replied through John Rutherford but Delting put the result beyond any contention with two further goals from Brian Duncan and Stuart Lavender.
Scalloway 2, Delting 2
Scalloway stormed in to an early lead when Jamie Allan drilled a shot in to the bottom corner but were unable to add to their tally. In the second half Delting were dominant and equalised through Konrad Wotjowiec, before Brian Duncan scored to give them the lead. With minutes remaining Colin Petrie connected with a front post corner to rescue a point for Scalloway.
Celtic 3, Scalloway 1
Scorers for Celtic were Ali Sim, Michael Spence and Scott Anderson. Scalloway’s scorer was Liam Tait.
Spurs 0, Ness United 1
The teams met for the second time in four days with Spurs having won the previous encounter. Ness took a while to settle but once the defensive trio of Lewie Peterson, Michael Smith and Steven Smith got into their stride they soaked up all that Spurs could throw at them.
Both teams created chances but it was all square at the half-time whistle. Ness began to take control of the midfield with Kevin Smith in fine combative form and ably supported by Michael Farmer.
Ness got the winner 10 minutes from time when Martin Henderson’s cross was parried by the keeper into Steven Smith’s path and he rifled the ball past Kyle Duncan in the Spurs goal. Ness survived a torrent of Spurs attacks in the last five minutes including a penalty claim but stood firm for the win.
Bloomfield Cup group matches
Suprs 3, Ness Utd 0
In the first group game of the Bloomfield Cup Ness looked to shake off their poor league form, but unfortunately they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Spurs.
Ness defended well in the first half and soaked up the pressure from Spurs. It finished 1-0 to the visitors at half time after a driven cross-come shot from Tomas Sinclair managed to squirm past Flaws in the Ness goals.
The second half continued in the same vein with Spurs pushing forward at every opportunity and Ness trying to hit them on the break and from set-pieces. Spurs got a further two goals through Thomas Sinclair and Connel Gresham to seal their victory.
Whalsay 1, Delting 1
The second game in the group saw the old adversaries battle to a draw with Robert Balfour netting for Delting and James Shearer scoring for Whalsay.
Fixtures (All Kick-offs 6.45pm unless otherwise stated)
Tonight – Fraser Cup quarter-finals: Spurs v Celtic at Gilbertson Park, ref R Leask; Thistle v Yell at Seafield, ref R Goudie; Delting v Whalsay or Whitedale at Brae, ref: I Sinclair; Ness v Unst at Cunningsburgh, ref S Goodlad (6.30pm kick-off).
Sunday – Shetland Chiropractic Reserve League: Scalloway v Whitedale at Fraser Park, ref M Grant. Bloomfield Cup Group 1: Delting v Ness United at Brae, ref J Saunders.
Monday – Fraser Cup semi-finals: Winner of Tie 4 v Winner of Tie 1 at Boddam/Baltasound, ref: I Sinclair; Winner of Tie 2 v Winner of Tie 3 at Gilbertson/Mid-Yell, ref D Bradley.
Wednesday – Bloomfield Cup: Group 1 – Celtic v Delting at Clickimin South, ref M Goodhand; Spurs v Whalsay at Seafield, ref R Leask. Group 2 – Scalloway v Whitedale at Fraser Park, ref: D Bradley; Unst v Thistle at Baltasound, ref S Couper.
