Delting and Whalsay to contest Fraser Cup final

Delting will take on Whalsay in the final of the Fraser Cup after wins over Scalloway and Whitedale respectively. Meanwhile in the G&S Flooring Premier League Celtic beat Thistle, Spurs overcame Whitedale and Whalsay took the points when Ness were unable to field a team.

Fraser Cup semi-finals

Scalloway 4, Delting 6

Delting opened the scoring when a Leighton Flaws long throw was headed into the net by Merv Jamieson early in the match. Finding themselves a goal down, Scalloway raised their game for the remainder of the half to go into the break with a one goal lead.

The equaliser arrived when Laurence Pearson burst through the Delting defence to score and minutes later Pearson scored his second from a similar position after getting on the end of a pass from Andrew Flett. The opening minutes of the second half saw Scalloway continue to dominate, however keeper Danny Reid kept his side in the game with superb saves from both Steven Umphray and Grant Gilfillan.

The turning point of the match saw Scalloway undo all their good work with an error strewn 10 minute spell in which Delting scored four times. Hesitation in the defence allowed Ross MacDougal to equalise and almost immediately Leighton Flaws fired a shot in off the post to give Delting the lead. Delting added to their tally when an attempted clearance from David Bisset found its way into the net and then slack marking allowed Alister Williamson to score at the near post from a corner kick.

To their credit Scalloway once again rallied and pulled a goal back when Scott Henderson weaved his way through the Delting rearguard to score. The comeback looked to be on when a deep free kick was headed into the net by Magnus Henry.

Steven Umphray fired a shot off the post, however it was Delting who added to their tally when Scalloway keeper Brian Johnson dived to keep out a free kick and the resulting loose ball was headed into the goal by Bruce Bennet.

Whalsay 5, Whitedale 2

A perfect night saw an entertaining game at Harbison Park. Whalsay were certainly quicker out of the blocks but were limited to mostly long range efforts which Martin Young in the Whitedale goal was equal to. Whitedale then almost took the lead when after a free kick Jordan Morrison arrived at the back post and his header looped over everyone but hit the post.

This was just a temporary setback as a momentary lapse in the home defence saw Jamie Wilson take advantage and fire a shot inside the near post for Whitedale to take the lead.

Whalsay then started to enjoy some good possession and eventually found the net when Alistair Johnson produced a great moment of skill to beat two players and fire the ball into the far corner from 10 yards. Moments later they took the lead when Gary Jamieson nodded home a corner and to add to Whitedale woes with just a minute remaining they went 3-1 down as Stuart Shearer danced past several challenges and fired home from an acute angle.

The second half saw Whitedale reply on the hour mark – a corner wasn’t dealt with and the resultant stramash saw Duncan Fraser smash home from six yards. There then followed a tense 20 minute spell with neither side dominating, however it was eventually a late surge from Whalsay against a tiring Whitedale side that saw them run away with two late goals. The first of these came from an Ian Simpson lob that with some good pressure from Keith Pearson resulted in Stuart Shearer gaining possession and he fired in a good shot from the edge of the box into the far corner.

The fifth came again after good work from Shearer who fired in another rocket that Young did well to stop, however young James Shearer who had been a constant threat up front showed great instincts to pounce on the rebound and put the islanders into an unnasailable 5-2 lead.

G&S Flooring Premier League

Celtic 5, Thistle 1

Celtic got off to the perfect start after only three and a half minutes and never looked back. Connor Regan won the ball on the edge of the penalty area then shot home past stand-in keeper Richard Manson from the angle of the six yard box with his left foot.

Celtic then proceeded to dominate the play, creating some good and gilt edged chances in the process for the next 20 minutes. Daniel Johnston was given a free header at goal when he was set up with an inch perfect cross from Joe Leask but he managed to make a pig’s ear of the chance. Joe Leask then hit the woodwork, his driven effort coming back off the bar after he controlled a good James Aitken cross eight yards out.

Sam Wood scored the second goal, finding space when left unattended at the back post from a Daniel Johnston corner. Four minutes later the set piece ball again delivered fruit as James Aitken swung in another fine delivery from the right and Justin Watson finished at the back post.

Celtic were almost caught napping as Thistle upped their game a little when Craig Gerty mounted a classic counter attack.

Celtic played the first 45 minutes with pace and purpose and rounded off a fine first period with a fourth goal. Daniel Johnston hit a tremendous shot from 25 yards out, which rebounded off the post. James Aitken had anticipated well to be on hand to tap home the rebound.

Celtic were slightly less purposeful during the second half. Perhaps keeping the forward momentum going while four goals clear was the issue. With a more determined effort from Thistle the play had a more even balance to it.

Joe Leask and Sam Wood continued to create space and run at Thistle and the side kept the ball well for the first 10 minutes. With 13 minutes played Grant Wood saw his shot from a broken-up corner cleared off the line by Calumn Johnson. Five minutes later and another Celtic effort was swiped off the line as Joe Leask won the foot race with the keeper. He deftly lifted the ball over him but David Smith arrived from nowhere to clear the danger.

Thistle then carved open a few opportunities for themselves. Substitute Jack Clubb beat Grant Wood at right back, put in a good low cross and Neil Riddell’s shot squirmed wide of the post. Riddell himself then turned provider as he pushed a pass in for the run of Stuart Smith. Smith was calm as he lifted the ball over Paul Grant to at least make a fight of the last 20 minutes.

As you would expect the goal gave the Jags a lift. Calvin Leask did some good work and released a snap-shot at Grant which lifted just over the bar. With 28 minutes played Neil Laurenson should have scored: Smith floated in a good free kick but the Unst man wasted a good opening at the back post.

Paul Grant then miss-timed a corner delivery, the ball bouncing and taking a wicked spin over the big keeper’s head but substitute Jordan Hunter was on hand to clear off the line with his head.

Celtic picked up the pace once more, Daniel Johnston unlocking the door for Sam Wood whose shot deflected past for a corner kick. With five minute remaining Joe Leask scored the goal his play deserved. Robert Smith sent a long pass to Aitken, who strode forward two paces and passed across to the in-rushing Leask who had the simplest of finishes.

Celtic played well and had very good performances from Joe Leask, James Aitken and Tom Moncrieff. Thistle dug in, particularly after half time and Stuart Smith, Kevin Teale and Neil Laurenson stood out among their ranks.

Whitedale 2, Spurs 3

Playing one another for the second time in a week, it was Spurs who were to take all three points in an entertaining game.

Whitedale could have been well in the lead in the first 15 minutes if they had taken their chances in a bombardment of the Spurs goal but Craig Dinwodie was in sparkling form. It was a good start for Whitedale with Martin Clark and Allan Johnston having an excellent tussle against James Johnston and Ally Graham. On 30 minutes Dinwoodie again pulled off a fine save from Jamie Wilson, pushing his effort around the post for a corner.

The first half finished goalless with Whitedale a bit dismayed they weren’t in the lead from the chances they had created.

At the start of the second half a more urgent Spurs team emerged and began to win more balls in midfield. On 60 minutes this paid off when Danny Finnie made good space in the box and finished with a well-placed shot low to Martin Young’s right hand.

Whitedale came charging back with a powerful run and cut inside from the right wing from Duncan Anderson setting up Richard Sinclair who couldn’t have struck the ball much better, only to see Dinwoodie pull off a stunning save with his right boot.

On 68 minutes Whitedale slipped up when an attempted clearance was sliced and the ball fell to Sam Goudie who blasted the ball home. Two minutes later Connel Gresham got Spurs’ third goal with a low well-struck finish.

Whitedale, looking a bit stunned, grabbed a quick goal back when Duncan Anderson flicked the ball from Dinwoodie’s fingers and rounded the keeper to score.

On 80 minutes Anderson was brought down in the box and Johnston hammered the penalty home.

This resulted in an exciting last 10 minutes as Whitedale pushed for the equaliser but it wasn’t to be, as Spurs held out.

A game of two halves with Craig Dinwoodie’s stand out performance making him the man of the match.

Ness United v Whalsay

Ness were unable to field a team and therefore Whalsay were awarded a 2-0 win.