Battle of West Side teams ends in draw

HOCKEY’S Shearer Shield saw Burra and Scalloway draw 2-2, Delting triumph over Whalsay 3-2 and Spurs win 3-2 against Zetland. Spurs also recently played host to Aberdeen’s Granite City Wanderers for a mixed game, which ended 3-2 in the visitors’ favour.

Shearer Shield

Burra 2, Scalloway 2

Burra opened the scoring but Scalloway were quick to recover and Meg Nicolson made it 1-1.

Both teams continued to battle, Burra seeing a welcome return to defender Melanie Cooper who worked tirelessly in defence alongside Louise Kok and Bethany Laurenson.

Burra kept up their attack and were awarded a short corner. The ball was pushed out to Josie Jamieson who passed back to Sarah Young who slotted in a goal from an awkward angle to put Burra ahead. Naomi Johnson, who worked hard throughout for Scalloway, linked well with Meg Nicolson who scored her second goal of the night.

At half time Burra were given a pep talk from a visiting Australian coach which spurred them on. His words were taken on board and Burra were more determined with their passing much improved and using the whole pitch and switch of play.

Josie Jamieson was a constant threat to Scalloway’s defence and Burra were unlucky not to score from a pass down the right hand side which was crossed into the circle. The ball running along the goal line causing great excitement in the circle, but Burra were unable to get a stick on the ball to get it over the line and Heather Miller cleared it for Scalloway.

Burra continued to play well and held possession for most of the second half but were unable to get the final touch in the circle to further their goal tally.

Scalloway also had chances in the second half and never gave up the battle with good defensive play from young Rowan Nicolson.

Players of the match were Kristen Robertson and goalie Christine Laurenson, who made some great saves throughout the game.

Delting 3, Whalsay 2

Whalsay had the better start, putting the Delting defence under pressure from the outset and Eileen Robertson was able to score within the first 10 minutes.

Delting replied promptly through a goal from Jill Hibbert to bring the score to 1-1. Whalsay continued to push forward but the defence and midfield of Delting worked hard to keep the attacks at bay.

Whalsay’s Zoe Irvine was performing in her usual manner, weaving through the park, and was able to convert a fine run into a goal shortly before half time.

Delting began the second half with more determination and were awarded several short corners. Brenda Leask pushed the ball in and it was stopped by Jillian Copland and fed through to Julie Kirkness who struck well to bring Delting level again.

The Whalsay defence played well against continued pressure from Delting. Further short corners were given but Delting did not convert. Diane Shearer for Whalsay cleared the danger with good support from Elaine Smith and Fiona Dally. However, another short corner was awarded to Delting with a minute of time remaining, the route one option was taken with Jill Hibbert stopping and striking the ball firmly past the keeper.

Best on the night were Diane Shearer for Whalsay and Nicola Blance for Delting.

Spurs 3, Zetland 2

Spurs scored against the run of play in five minutes. Debbie Kane, in goal for Zetland, made a timely save but unfortunately the ball wasn’t cleared fully and Emma Gray pounced on the rebound to flick it into the net.

Despite battling hard at the back it was only a matter of time before the Spurs defence were to be broken down. Another goalmouth scramble saw Inga Tulloch equalise in 11 minutes from the back post.

This increased Zetland’s confidence and they continued to run circles around Spurs – who at this stage looked very unorganised. Zetland’s patience and driving runs paid off when Tulloch put Zetland ahead.

Spurs came out after the break playing very different hockey. Serious talks had obviously taken place, as they took control. A build up on the right found an unmarked Fiona Shearer loitering in the danger area and she first-timed the ball past the keeper to make it 2-2.

Spurs appeared hungry for victory and Gray coolly scooped the ball into goal to put them ahead in the 60th minute.

As the clock ran down, Zetland tried hard to have a share of the points. Spurs not wanting to concede, cleverly took their time, and kept possession until time ran out.

Emma Gray was awarded player of the match for her scoring prowess. For Zetland it was a good team performance but it was Shona Keith who took the honours.

Mixed friendly

Spurs 2, Granite City 3

Spurs broke the deadlock against the run of play. Fiona Shearer played a through ball to Kristen Jeromson and she found Robert Smith, who calmly slotted it past keeper Steven Henry.

GCW had many locals in their side who knew how to work their opposition and Sarah Grogan, Fraser Mackie and John Magnus Scollay managed to thread through the Spurs midfield at times. Fortunately for Spurs, keeper Elaine Angus was in fine form.

Play became more even, as both teams settled into the pace of the game, and made excellent use of the running substitutes rule. This paid off as Spurs scored again at 25 minutes. A bit of a scramble in the GCW circle saw Emma Gray pounce on an un-cleared ball, and in typical style flicked it past the keeper.

As half time approached GCW were finally settling into their own style of hockey. Good defensive play by Lynn Hawkins, Shiona Brough and Peter Walterson halted any further advances by the Spurs forward line.

After half time there were quite a few tussles in the midfield between Stuart Smith (Spurs) and Shona Brough (GCW), both playing gutsy, determined hockey. GCW pushed forward from the midfield through local boy Neil Duncan (now residing in Aberdeen). He slipped the ball through to Jenny Thomson who got one back for GCW.

This spurred on Spurs and another attack up the left side saw them awarded a few penalty corners. Unfortunately the inexperience of the mixed team meant they weren’t able to convert their chances into goals.

An interception down the left from Shearer found Smith on the edge of the D. He slapped the ball across the face of the goal, only to see it slide past replacement keeper Paul Nicol. Unfortunately for Smith, and after much discussion, the goal was disallowed as it was deemed to be from outside the shooting circle.

GCW then ran on the counter attack, quickly scoring through Aftab Majeet.

As both teams began to tire there was a period of end-to-end play. The Jamieson father and son pairing, Stuart and Shane, linked well on the right for Spurs, creating through balls, but Georgia Laurenson playing for the visitors swept up any loose balls.

Just before time Majeet scored his second, fooling the Spurs defence by playing the ball through his legs to make it 3-2 to GCW.

Despite the local team losing out it was a close encounter, played in a great sporting manner, one which is hoping to be repeated in years to come.

Special thanks should be given to local umpires Simon Skinner and Janice Johnston, Kevin Jones for the photography, and to the Mid Brae Inn for the aftermatch refreshments.

Fixtures Tomorrow – Mid Brae Inn Cup (11-a-side ladies hockey) at the Midway Pitch, 10.30am.

Monday: Whalsay v Burra (Scalloway rep/Janice Johnston) at 6.30pm; Delting v Scalloway (Burra rep/Janice Johnston) at 7.50pm.

Thursday: Zetland v Spurs (Kerri Moulder/Simon Skinnner) at 6.30pm.

A full pitch ladies’ sevens knockout tournament is to take place on Thursday 11th September. Anyone wishing to enter a team should contact Shetland Ladies’ Hockey Association (SLHA) fixtures secretary Kerri Moulder by Monday 1st September.

Mixed seven-a-sides

A new outdoor seven-a-side mixed league will take place on Saturday 13th and Saturday 20th September at the Midway Pitch, Brae.

Teams have the option of including four men on the pitch at one time with a maximum of three male outfield players.

Any teams interested in entering the league or requiring more information should contact SLHA fixtures secretary Kerri Moulder on 07766 157579 or (01595) 696367. All teams must be entered by Friday no later than 5pm.

Coaching sessions

SLHA would like to invite all interested men and women (over 14) to attend an exciting weekend of coaching by a Scottish Hockey Union professional on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September at the Brae Astroturf.

Sessions will cater for all abilities, welcoming beginners and improvers to come along and develop their skills. Session timings are as follows and participants are welcome to attend all sessions.

Saturday 10am to noon and 12.30pm to 2.30pm; Sunday10am to 2pm.

The cost of attendance is £2 per session. To register email SLHA president Jillian Copland on jilliancopland@sic.shetland.gov.uk or call 07876 216483.