Whalsay beat Spurs to go top of the table in hockey’s Shearer Shield

Whalsay came from behind to beat Spurs in the top of the table clash in hockey’s Shearer Shield while Burra beat Zetland 4-1.

Shearer Shield

Spurs 1, Whalsay 3

This was, quite simply, a game of two halves. Spurs settled quickly and comfortably controlled the game. Attacks on Whalsay’s defence were regular as play built up through the Spurs midfield of Fiona Shearer, Gayle Johnston and Ava Sim. Wingers Morag Fox and Sarah Grogan fed the Spurs strikers numerous through balls and were rewarded with a succession of short conrners.

Spurs’ breakthrough came during the third corner, when a Fox shot was deflected and Sim calmly slotted the ball into the net. Spurs were unlucky not to make it 2-0 when Emma Gray failed to capitalise on a one-on-one with the Whalsay goalie.

Spurs were to rue their missed chances as Whalsay revved into gear in the second half. A half-time team talk must have been the tonic Whalsay needed as their attitude and determination was different as they put pressure on Spurs from the outset.

Until this point much of the play had been down the Whalsay right flank. Play was switched to the Whalsay left side and Nicola Duthie and Shelley Sandison linked beautifully and caught the Spurs’ defence sleeping, Duthie equalising with a fine strike.

Spurs were taken by surprise and clearly lost their shape and initiative. Fine midfield play from Maggie Kay Irvine and Zoe Irvine provided Whalsay with umpteen opportunities. Again Duthie found herself on the end of a loose ball following a short corner and gave Whalsay the lead in the 46th minute.

Before long, another opportunity and short corner gave Whalsay the opening they required and Sandison finished off the attack and claimed Whalsay’s third.

Spurs fought hard to regain control and make an impact and were unlucky not to score from a Fox corner, a Grogan shot just wide of the post, and an Emma Gray strike that rebounded off the right post.

Whalsay’s defence held tight, Sonja Shearer and Diane Shearer protecting their goalie well. Irvine, Sandison and Duthie put in notable performances for Whalsay, while Gayle Johnson stood out for Spurs.

Burra 4, Zetland 1

Burra won the toss and got the first pass back, immediately applying pressure on Zetland’s defence. Zetland caught Burra off guard with a good run up the middle by Stacey Gardiner who struck the ball into the circle where Massie Unsworth slotted it in to open the scoring in the first eight mins. Burra kept steady throughout the remainder of the first half and were rewarded with an excellent strike from Stacey Laurenson.  The first half ended 1-1.

In the second half both teams started back determined with Burra continuing to keep the pressure on with a lot of the play in the Zetland half. A goalmouth scramble lead to Lori Robertson claiming Burra’s second goal of the night. This was closely followed by another goal from Josie Jamieson who stole the ball from Zetland, making an excellent run to the edge of the circle and slamming home a third goal for Burra.

Zetland stayed strong with some good attacking play but were unlucky not to score. There was good defensive play from Lara Jamieson and Dawn Anderson who made some crucial tackles. Unfortunately for Zetland with only three minutes left of the game Debbie Sneddon scored a cracking goal to leave the final score 4-1 to Burra.

Players of the match were, from Zetland, Wilma Sim in goals who made many superb saves denying Burra more goals, and Sarah Young for Burra.