Spurs stretch lead at top of hockey league with win over Delting

Spurs stretched their lead at the top of hockey’s Rosebowl league with a narrow win over Delting while Burra kept up the pressure on the second place side with a win over Juniors. Delting had a convincing win in the Lizzie Poleson Trophy competition against Zetland.

Lizzie Poleson Trophy

Zetland 0, Delting 4

Delting donned a temporary new strip, to celebrate captain Jill Hibbert’s 50th birthday, which brought with it good luck as they defeated Zetland 4-0.

The match saw attacking play from both teams and the scoring began early with a goal from Lorainne Johnson in the third minute. This saw Zetland determined to get a goal back with great attacking play from Shona and Aimee Keith and Maisie Unsworth. Dawn Spall played brilliantly as keeper and thwarted any Zetland attempts at goal.

The Zetland defence of Lisa Johnston, Ailsa Sinclair, Lara Jamieson and Dawn Anderson worked hard, but Jillian Copland soon scored Delting’s second goal. Delting were awarded their third goal following a shot from Megan Hibbert.

The second half saw drives from both teams towards goal and Zetland were unfortunate not to score with Stacey Gardner and Indyia Bradley making attacks down the right wing. The Zetland defence continued to work hard and keeper Debie Kane made some great saves but Delting scored again with a goal from Julie Kirkness.

Players of the match were for Delting, Dawn Spall for her fantastic goalkeeping and for Zetland it was Shona Keith.

Association Rosebowl

Juniors 1, Burra 2

Burra started the game with the first pass back and the Juniors immediately applied the pressure. A strong run up the right wing from Bethany Laurenson saw a ball follow through to Rowan Nicolson, which then resulted in a great goal from Karis Irvine in the first eight minutes.

Burra also had a few attempts on goal, and Josie Jamieson was unlucky not to score on a number of occasions but keeper Julie Brown ensured this didn’t happen. Moving into the second half Juniors were leading by one, and Burra were keen to make a comeback. Burra’s Lorrie Roberston worked tiressely in the Juniors circle and in the 18th minute of the second half Stacey Laurenson brought the score to 1-1.

The Juniors defence of Rhiannon Inkster, Debbie Roberston and Lara Kay were determined to keep Burra out of the circle, but Laurenson’s powerful strike in the 27th minute made the final score 2-1 to Burra. Throughout the second half, the Juniors kept the pressure on Burra with Zoe Irvine making some great runs in the midfield, but the Burra defence proved too strong for the Junior side to score again.

Players of the match were Debbie Roberston for Juniors, and Lorrie Roberston stood out in the Burra side.

Delting 1, Spurs 2

Delting started the game with great pressure on Spurs, but they soon fought back to force the game’s first short corner after 15 minutes. Lauren Peterson managed to clear the ball out to Janetta Williamson, who played it out wide to Lorraine Johnson. Lorraine then passed a straight ball to Linda Gunn. The ball went from there to Rowan Nicolson, who drove into the circle and shot just wide of the target.

Everyone produced sharp passes from then on. Toni Sidgwick was fierce in the Delting goal, and made agile saves to stop Spurs taking the lead. She was immediately back on her feet after every shot, ready for the next attack.

Delting made another break, as Jillian Copland took close control of the ball to dribble into the circle, where a foul against her created a short corner for Delting. Julie Kirkness received the hit out, and passed it swiftly to Copland on the edge of the circle, who swept the ball in towards goal producing the best shot so far. She was unlucky to hit the post. Spurs rose to the challenge and fought back into the attacking half. After frantic play in the box, Fiona Shearer managed to hit the ball home from close range in the 31st minute.

The second half set off with a fast and furious pace. Jillian Copland took the ball out wide to the left to Megan Hibbert, who flicked the ball over Ava Sim’s stick. The ball made it back to Copland, and from there to Brenda Leask. Leask took a strike at goal, but it was well saved by Elaine Smith.

Fifteen minutes in Linda Gunn took the rebound and this time she shot successfully, bringing the game level. Each side fought hard from then on to try and secure the lead. Sarah Grogan, Rona Simpson, Susan Morrison and Fiona Shearer were all influential in building up the attack.

Spurs had an excellent opportunity after Toni Sidgwick was unlucky to land on the ball after a save and cause an obstruction, giving Spurs a penalty flick. Rona Simpson regained Spurs the lead 10 minutes from the end with an excellent flick to the left top corner of the goal. Delting continued to fight back hard all the way to the end, but were unable to capitalise.

Players of the match were Rona Simpson for Spurs and Julie Kirkness for Delting.

Zetland 2, Scalloway 0

No match report was received.