Delting defeat and draw leaves Spurs in strong position in hockey league

Spurs continue to lead hockey’s Association Rosebowl league after Delting lost to Burra and drew with Whalsay.

Association Rosebowl

Delting 1, Burra 3

Both teams were set up strongly but Delting started the better, passing the ball around midfield and pushing into Burra’s goal mouth. Delting forwards Julie Kirkness and Linda Dunn were unlucky on several occasions not to score. Burra’s defence managed to keep the ball out of the goal for 17 minutes until Lorraine Johnston got on the end of a super ball by Jill Hibbert and slotted the ball home, giving Delting the lead.

The game continued with Burra getting stronger and more determined for the rest of the half. Eventually Burra’s running and fast passing resulted in a goal by Stacey Laurenson just before half time.

Burra came out in the second half looking fresh. They were playing some skilful hockey with Christine Robertson, Stacey Laurenson and Josie Jamieson linking well and making the Delting midfield work very hard.  Three minutes into the second half Laurenson again struck from a penalty corner to give Burra the lead. She hit a great shot and finished well for Burra.

Delting’s mixture of senior players and new junior players were trying their best to compete with Burra but the pace and skill of Burra was too strong. Burra scored their third goal through Bethany Laurenson just before the full time whistle. Player of the match for Delting was Nicola Blance and Josie Jamieson was Burra’s best player.

Juniors 1, Zetland 0

Juniors started strongly, with sisters Zoe and Karis Irvine pressurising the Zetland defence. But Zetland’s Lara Jamieson worked hard clearing balls. Great linking play on the wings from Megan Jamieson and Abbey Irvine saw Juniors keep up the pressure.

Zetland were strong on the counter-attack with Aimee Keith’s great through balls finding Maisie Unsworth, but the Juniors defence of Rhiannon Inkster, Julie Brown and Lara Kay stood strong. Just before half time, good passing from Bethany Laurenson and an excellent run from Zoe Irvine found striker Rowan Nicolson who calmly slotted the ball past the Zetland keeper.

Zetland were determined to score after the break, with Shona Keith working hard in midfield but Juniors sweeper Debbie Robertson and goalkeeper Jessica Bradley stopped Zetland in their tracks.

Zetland continued to put the pressure on Juniors but excellent marking from Zoe Irvine and Hannah Hunter made it hard for Zetland to find the backboard.

Good counter-attacking work on the wings from Juniors Tammi Anderson and Ashley Burgess kept the pressure on the Zetland, but Lisa Johnston was quick to send great passes back to the Zetland forwards who kept challenging the Juniors defence. The match ended 1-0 to Juniors after some relentless Zetland pressure towards the end of the match.

Players of the match were the hard-working Karis Irvine for Juniors and Indiya Bradley for Zetland.

Whalsay 5, Scalloway 2

Whalsay started strongly, making full use of the space available due to Scalloway only fielding nine players. Some good inter-linking play saw new recruit Haley Tulloch finding room on the right wing to cross the ball in to Deborah Mowat who opened the scoring.

Despite determined defending by Mel Inkster and keeper Christine Georgeson, Whalsay continued to press forward and were awarded a series of short corners. Their second goal was a belter from the top of the circle by Maree Simpson.

This was followed by a third when Alison Williamson provided a well-timed sweep into the circle, which was slotted home at the back post by Emily Shearer. Scalloway continued to fight for possession with good play from Naomi Johnson and Mhairi Moncreiff in midfield creating some attacking opportunities for their front line.

Two minutes into the second half, Whalsay notched up their fourth through Maggie Irvine. This seemed to spur on Scalloway who showed true determination when a good through-ball into Whalsay’s circle found the backboard through Meg Laurenson.

Gaining heart from the goal, they continued to push forward and, following a scramble at the keeper’s feet, Mhairi Moncrieff got the final touch on Scalloway’s second. However, Whalsay were to have the final say when Deborah Mowat rounded off the scoring with a skilful reverse flick.

Despite only having nine players, Scalloway played with great spirit and determination. Players of the match were Maree Simpson for Whalsay and Scalloway’s Christine Georgeson.

Delting 1, Whalsay 1

This match was played in sunshine, avoiding the snowy May showers from earlier in the day. Delting had the first pass back and used this advantage to push forward, with good linking play between Lorraine Johnson, Linda Gunn and Kerry Burgess. Fiona Dally and Dianne Shearer made it difficult to penetrate the Whalsay circle, but Delting continued to press forward.
When Whalsay broke, Maggie Kay Irvine and Maree Simpson worked well in midfield to allow space for the forwards and it was Delting’s turn to defend. Both teams had their share of the play in this half, and the game could have gone either way, but the first half finished with neither team getting names on the score sheet.

In the second half, Whalsay began to press for the opener. Maree Simpson and Maggie Kay Irvine created chances for Whalsay’s forwards. Delting defenders Jill Hibbert, Nicola Blance and Janetta Copland were on hand to clear the danger that threatened the Delting goal.

Brenda Leask came off injured for a short time, and Delting had to work hard with 10 players. Whalsay continued to dominate the play that followed shortly after, and good passing play resulted in Maree Simpson scoring for the Bonnie Isle side after nine minutes.

A scramble in the Delting goal following this could have seen Whalsay score a second but Toni Sidgwick and Nicola Blance ensured that the ball did not cross the line. Delting pushed forward players in an attempt to equal the score. Brenda Leask returned to play and Jillian Copland, Lorraine Johnson and Linda Gunn again put pressure on the Whalsay circle.

The game came to a dramatic conclusion when Delting received a short corner in the dying minutes. Jill Hibbert caught the ball perfectly to secure a spectacular last ditch goal. The final whistle blew, ending the game with a 1-1 draw.

Players of the match were Lorraine Johnson for Delting and Maree Simpson for Whalsay.

Scalloway 0, Juniors 3

The game began with a Scalloway pass back which was soon intercepted by Juniors’ Rowan Nicholson and Karis Irvine on an attack which was well handled by Scalloway’s defence. This created a chance for Scalloway to push up and form an attack with good play from Naomi Johnson. However strong defensive play from Rhiannon Inkster resulted in no goals. Even play from both sides resulted in a nil-nil draw at half time.

The Juniors came back fighting with Zoe Irvine controlling the midfield, which resulted in a goal from Rowan Nicholson. Scalloway’s determination showed with Lauren Anderson pushing up, but once more no goals were created. Yet another run from the Juniors resulted in a high flying strike from Zoe Irvine entering the top right hand corner.

Several short corners were given to the Juniors and a well executed ball into the circle by Rhiannon Inkster resulted in a dubious goal. Scalloway fought to the end, but the game ended in a Juniors victory.

Players of the match were goalie Christine Georgeson for Scalloway who played a stormer as usual and the young and energetic Karis Irvine for Juniors.