Delting pick up first spoils of new women’s football season
Delting won the first Shetland Women’s Football Club tournament of the season, played on Sunday at the Scalloway games hall.
This event was open for teams to enter or for individuals to turn up on the day and get a chance to play in a four-a-side round robin competition.
Unst and Delting both arrived with nearly enough players for an 11-a-side game and were joined by seven individuals. Five teams were therefore made up – Unst and Delting having two each and a Whitedale select.
After the 10 games were played, Unst 2 and Whitedale played off for third position with the experienced Whitedale team taking the honours.
Unst 1 and Delting 1 then met in the final game of the day to decide the destination of the trophy. Both teams were well supported from the sidelines. At full time the final score stood at 1-1, and so to the dreaded penalties. Seven kicks were taken each and it was Delting who held their nerve to score the decisive winner.
A spokeswoman said thanks were due to John Ward and Sarah Couper for refereeing all the games in what was an enjoyable, if hard, day for all who took part.
The next event for the club is the forthcoming trip to Aberdeen to play in two friendly games. Karen Mackelvie has arranged to play Aberdeen University and Dons Ladies who currently lie fourth and second place respectively in the Second Division North.
On Saturday 28th March, Shetland will take on Aberdeen University at the Balgownie playing fields with kick-off at 2pm. The next day the team will take on Dons Ladies at the Garthdee pitch at 12.30pm. Any home support would be much appreciated at both venues.
The squad is: Amber Johnson, Megan Burns (Unst); Debbie Sneddon, Karen Jarvie (Delting); Emma Gray, Kristan Robertson, Sarah Couper, Stacey Laurenson (Burra); Jessica Bradley, Lynda Flaws, Karen MacKelvie, Sarah Grogan (Whitedale); Maria Simpson, Zoe Irvine (Whalsay).
The spokeswoman said the club would like to thank NorthLink, the SIC and Bolts Car Hire, without whose continued support the trip would not be possible.
With entry into the Scottish League already having been agreed in principle, the two games should give coach Derrick Bradley much insight into the standard the squad would need to be at to compete at this level. Over the next three months the club will decide if it will be possible to get the level of commitment, both time wise and financially to enter into this league.
The league runs from the end of August to early May and, depending on the opposition, the Shetland team could be expected to travel to Aberdeen up to 22 times. Having entered the Scottish Cup for the past four years, and played well against some tough opposition, it is felt that to play regularly against this level of opposition is essential to ensure the continued development of women’s football in the isles.
With the possibility of so many games in the course of the league there will be opportunities for a great number of women and girls to represent Shetland and experience football at a high level.
Anyone interested in playing or getting involved can contact any committee member or visit the club website at www.shetlandwomensfc.com Meanwhile Shetland have been invited send a girls’ under-16 team to the Orkney Football Festival on 1st and 2nd August.
To continue on from the successful Soccer One programme a training session will be held at the Midway Pitch in Brae tomorrow from 11am to 1pm and further sessions will be arranged after the Easter holidays in the build up to the trip to Orkney.
Coach John Ward said: “This is a great opportunity for girls to carry on playing football throughout the summer and looking to the longer term. W’th Shetland’s potential involvement in the Scottish League there will be opportunities for involvement in that as well.”
For more details contact Mr Ward on 07766 421040.
