Delting lose to Spurs but overcome Zetland in hockey league

Delting lost their first match in hockey’s Association Rosebowl league last week, going down 4-1 to Spurs, but bounced back on Monday to beat Zetland. The other matches saw wins for Zetland and Burra.

Association Rosebowl

Scalloway 0, Zetland 2

Zetland started strongly, immediately pressurising the Scalloway defence and were denied on various occasions with some excellent saves from keeper Christine Georgeson.

With strong passing from sisters Shona and Aimee Keith, Zetland kept up the pressure but the Scalloway defence of Lauren Anderson, Sarah Groat and Debbie Sneddon stood strong.

Scalloway began to counter attack with excellent play from Naomi Johnson and Kate Moncrieff. They were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty corner shortly before half time but were unfortunate not to take the lead.

After the break it was Zetland who claimed the first goal, with a strong pass finding Maisie Unsworth who struck an unstoppable shot from the top of the D.

Scalloway fought back with great play on the left from Mhairi Moncrieff and Naomi Johnson, who were unlucky not to equalise.

The Zetland defenders were quick off the mark to clear Scalloway’s efforts, and their passes found Zoe Irvine, who sent excellent balls into the Scalloway circle, but yet again Zetland were denied by Georgeson.

Scalloway were unlucky to concede again when an Irvine pass found Margaret Johnston who calmly slotted the ball into the goals.

Players of the match were Scalloway goalkeeper Christine Georgeson for her excellent saves and Zetland’s Lara Jamieson.

Spurs 4, Delting 1

Delting won the toss and opted for first pass. However, it was Spurs who were off the mark quickest, attacking from the outset and pressuring the Delting defence for the first 10 minutes.

Jill Hibbert commanded the Delting defence well, but Spurs were heavy in midfield and broke down all the Delting moves. Emma Inkster and Ava Sim were intercepting any Delting advances.

Spurs looked more likely to break the deadlock and when Emma Gray swung in a terrific cross the ball was met by the goal hungry Sarah Grogan, who struck home to open the scoring on 27 minutes.

The goal gave Spurs a boost and with confidence now high they persisted in their attacks. Fiona Shearer played on following a foul, which resulted in Spurs’ second of the night. A reverse pass to Grogan saw her score again in the 30th minute.

Spurs came on in the second half having made a few changes. Andrea Tait came in to tighten the defence, as Delting came all out to level the score. Spurs remained focused, playing the ball deep and wide around the back, creating space and keeping possession. It was not long before this paid off when again a quick pass from Shearer found MacKay in space at the Delting penalty spot. She made no mistake in slotting the ball past the keeper five minutes after the restart.

Spurs then appeared to relax for a spell and Delting took more control for a while. Rona Simpson stepped up to the front line and spread the ball well to her strikers while at the other end Nicola Blance, Debbie Sneddon and Jill Hibbert thwarted any further Spurs strikes on goal.

It was not to last, however, and Grogan picked up a loose ball in midfield and drove into the Delting circle. She took on the goalie and tapped the ball in, claiming her hat trick.

Julie Kirkness and Jill Hibbert rallied their team well and Rowan Nicolson and Megan Hibbert began making runs, pressuring Elaine Smith in the Spurs goal. Delting were awarded a series of penalty corners but Spurs defended well and Smith cleared any danger.

After a period of open play, Linda Gunn rounded the Spurs defence and put the ball in the back of the net for a consolation goal in the closing minutes.

Best on the night for Delting was Nicola Blance while for Spurs it was Gayle Johnson who outshone her team mates.

Scalloway 0, Burra 3

Burra took control from the start while Scalloway were unfortunate in only being able to field 10 players. They worked tirelessly despite the disadvantage.

Scalloway’s defence had their work cut out for them during the first half when Burra were awarded numerous short corners which they were unable to score through.

Scalloway keeper Christine Georgeson played a stormer of a game throughout the first half and was not deterred by the speed of the balls played at goal by the Burra forwards.

Towards the end of the first half Stacey Laurenson had a shot at goal which the Scalloway goalie cleared, but Kristan Robertson was quick to pick up the ball and slot it in the net, making it 1-0 at half time.

Burra started strongly again in the second half, making the Scalloway defence work hard. Emily Tait played well for Scalloway in midfield while Naomi Johnson and Sarah Groat worked hard in defence. Laurenson scored the second goal for Burra with a beautiful reverse stick flick taken just inside the circle which took the goalie by surprise.

Scalloway fought hard and were awarded a few clear breaks up the field but were unable to get past the Burra defence.

Burra kept the pressure on and were eventually awarded a third goal by Kristan Robertson near the end. Player of the match for Scalloway had to be keeper Christine Georgeson, who saved numerous shots and proved she is a force to be reckoned with. Stacey Laurenson was named player of the match for Burra.

Zetland 1, Delting 2

Zetland started strongly with good play between Zoe Irvine and Shona Keith in midfield, managing to get the ball through to Aimee Keith who made some promising runs towards the Delting goal.

Delting began to settle and had some excellent runs up the pitch by Lorraine Johnson and Jillian Copland but the Zetland defence of Lara Jamieson, Lisa Johnston, Alisa Sinclair and Julie Brown coped extremely well.

Zetland got back on the attack with Aimee Keith driving into the circle and with a reverse sweep she lifted the ball past Toni Sidgwick in goal to open the scoring.

Delting were keen to equalise and with great linking passes the pressure was on the Zetland defence. Julie Kirkness had a great flicked shot go just over Zetland stand-in goalie Dawn Anderson’s head.

The game was even from then on with great passing and drives from both teams who were desperate to get the winning goal. However, it was Delting’s Megan Nicolson who managed to slot their second goal in.

Zetland continued to work hard to equalise but with Toni Sidgwick having a superb night in goal it was not to be.

Players of the match were Aimee Keith for Zetland and Toni Sidgwick for Delting.