Whalsay are Parish Cup winners for 21st time

Whalsay retained the Parish Cup yesterday, beating Delting 2-1 in a closely fought game at Gilbertson Park to claim the prized trophy for the 21st time.

Whalsay 2, Delting 1

A minute’s silence was observed before the match as a mark of respect for Jim Peterson, one of the isles’ greatest football stalwarts who died last week.

A good crowd, although perhaps not the biggest ever, had gathered with keen anticipation for what was expected to be a competitive encounter between two of the three parish sides who play in Shetland’s premier league.

The opening goal was not long in coming and it was Delting who took the lead. Alan Smith threaded a pass through to Dylan McKay and the youngster ran on and slotted the ball past Whalsay keeper Grant Thomson.

The match was end to end for most of the first half with Whalsay probably having the best chances, Delting’s Jack Murphy making one exellent save to keep his side in front.

With about half an hour gone the equaliser came. A through ball found Lowrie Hutchison and he took one touch before blasting it past Murphy.

Whalsay again had the edge after the break and Stuart Shearer came close on two occasions, the second time seeing his header go just wide of the post with the keeper beaten.

With just under 20 minutes to go Whalsay grabbed the all-important second goal. The Delting contingent were angry that referee Robbie Goudie failed to award what they considered a clear foul but striker David Murray took full advantage, skilfully taking the ball into the box and to the byline. He then squared it back across goal and Lowrie Hutchison was waiting to make it 2-1.

A flurry of substitutions followed, one of them seeing Whalsay replace Karl Williamson, who had formed a formidable centre back partnership with captain Richard Arthur.

Delting had one or two chances but there was no way back for them and the Bonnie Isle side held out fairly comfortably to get their hands on the cup again.

Parish Cup Association chairman Iain Smith introduced former Unst player Patrick Robertson, who named two-goal marksman Hutchison as man of the match before presenting the main trophy to Arthur.

Delting: Jack Murphy; Ryan Sutherland, Reece Thorne, Callum Clark, Craig Jarvie; Jamie Sim, Ross Jamieson, Alan Smith, Dylan McKay; Fraser Hall, Gary Sutherland. Substitutes: Danny Peterson, Shaun Manson, Peter McLachlan, Aron MacGregor, Peter Peterson. Manager: Stuart Hay.

Whalsay: Grant Thomson; Neil Arthur, Richard Arthur, Karl Williamson, Neil Johnson; David Arthur, Ritchie Hutchison, Stuart Shearer, Magnus Thomson; David Murray, Lowrie Hutchison. Substitutes: Ian Simpson, Ian Anderson, Brydon Pearson, Robbie Sandison, Jordan Leask. Manager: Richard Hutchison. Assistant manager: John (Forty) Irvine.