Outdoor hockey season draws to close
WITH the successful outdoor hockey season drawing to a close, the final two competitions took place last week, the Town Hall seven-a-side knockout competition on Thursday and a mixed seven-a-side league on Saturday.
In the Town Hall sevens, Delting were triumphant, taking home the trophy after winning on penalties in a closely contested final against Whalsay. In a new mixed seven-a-side league Whalsay were crowned winners, successfully winning four out of four games. They were closely followed by new team LBC New Revolution.
Town Hall seven-a-sides (first round)
Spurs 1, Scalloway 0
The first half saw good passing between teams with Spurs unlucky not to score on a few occasionzs.
Both teams knew all was to play for in the second half and started very determinedly. Scalloway put Spurs keeper Stacey Laurenson under pressure but good defending from Louise Moar and Ava Sim saw the attacks cleared.
A clean hit from Ava Sim straight through the Scalloway side saw Gail Donohue collect the ball and embark on a solo run up the field. Left one on one with Scalloway keeper Kristine Laurenson, Donohue slotted the ball home to see Spurs through to the next round.
Zetland 0, Whalsay 2
Whalsay controlled much of the match with excellent play between Elaine Smith and Zoe Irvine. Maree Simpson opened the scoring with a sweet shot from the right edge of the D.
Zetland worked hard to equalise with Stacey Clark and Hannah Irvine showing great determination in the midfield but unfortunately for them their efforts were not rewarded.
Late in the second half Emily Shearer managed to sneak a goal past Zetland keeper Debbie Kane who had worked hard throughout.
Semi-finals
Burra 0, Delting 1
Early into the first half Donna Murray linked up well with Ellie Burt to score Delting’s only goal.
The second half saw Burra come back with much improved passing and a determined effort from defenders Kayti Jeromson and Bethany Laurenson made sure no more goals were going Delting’s way.
Spurs 0, Whalsay 1
The Spurs forwards were fast but only managed to get as far as Whalsay’s Fiona Dally who blocked any form of attack coming her way.
A highly motivated Whalsay side kept the Spurs defence under pressure. It was from a penalty corner set piece that Whalsay’s Maggie Kay Irvine converted to seal their place in the final.
Final
Whalsay 0, Delting 0
(Delting won 3-2 on penalty flicks)
Whalsay started well and only great defending from Delting’s Nicola Blance and Ellie Burt prevented them opening the score.
Delting meanwhile were threatening on the break with Jill Hibbert driving forward and holding the ball up well while waiting for support.
The second half was similar to the first with both teams tiring and more spaces appearing. Despite short corners for both teams no one was able to capitalise and convert their chances. At the final whistle the score remained 0-0 leaving the teams facing penalty flicks to decide the winner.
Janetta Williamson and Nicola Blance were the only two scorers for Delting while Maggie Kay Irvine and Zoe Irvine of Whalsay kept the teams tied at 2-2 after five penalties each.
Entering into sudden death Whalsay saw their first attempt saved by Donna Murray. With the pressure on Jillian Copland stepped up for Delting slotted the ball home confidently to win the trophy.
Mixed 7-a-side league
Zetland 0, LBC New Revolution 4
LBC (Lerwick Building Centre) New Revolution were on form from the start and opened up the scoring with a brilliant strike from Kristan Robertson.
Zetland settled and with some good passing were unlucky not to score.
This game was played at a fast pace with chances for both teams but it was LBC New Revolution who capitalised on their attacks and Kevin Gifford got his name on the score sheet and Mhairi Moncrieff, on the hunt for her hat-trick, got two.
Whalsay 3, Baker Tilly Ness 1
Both teams started strongly with Whalsay taking the edge with two quick goals followed shortly by a third. Ness came back fighting hard and were rewarded with an excellent goal from John Robert Burgess. Ness continued to chase the game and were unlucky not to catch Whalsay.
Delting 0, LBC New Revolution 1
Both teams started well with some great linking play in attack. New Revolution were fast on the break with Kevin Gifford and Stacey Laurenson always looking dangerous.
Delting’s defence of Debbie Robertson and Nicola Blance kept their goal clear until the later stages of the game when Peter Sharp scored a dubious goal to win the match.
LBC New Revolution 3, Baker Tilly Ness 0
Both teams pressed forward at all times and Ness tested young Maurice Williamson in the Revolution goal, bringing out some great saves.
Mhairi Moncrieff was alert in the area to tuck home the first for the home team and some great play down the right from Stacey Laurenson and Kristan Robertson led to the second.
The third goal came from a long corner where the ball broke loose for Peter Sharp to tomahawk into the back of the net.
Best for the Revolution were the duo of Ava Sim and Danny Finnie while for Baker Tilly Ness Vicky Anderson impressed.
Whalsay 3, LBC New Revolution 1
LBC New Revolution took an early lead when Kevin Gifford dribbled past the Whalsay defence and slammed the ball home.
Shortly afterwards Whalsay capitalised on a short corner when Brian Irvine found the backboard. Whalsay stormed into the lead with Brian Irvine eventually finding form.
George Abernethy rounded off the scoring with a well-deserved goal from a reverse stick shot.
Baker Tilly Ness 2, Delting 1
Both teams started well but Baker Tilly Ness took the lead with a superb right strike from Scott Anderson at the edge of the circle.
Delting defended well but John Robert Burgess managed to slip another shot past the superb Delting keeper Iain Devonald. Delting retaliated with a fine shot from Craig Sneddon bringing the score to 2-1. With seconds remaining on the clock Baker Tilly Ness defended their goal frantically with keeper Brydon Robertson pulling off some vital last minute clearances to leave the score 2-1 at the final whistle.
Zetland 0, Whalsay 4
Whalsay started as favourites and were soon 1-0 up through Zoe Irvine. George Abernethy added a second shortly after to put the islanders in firm control.
Zetland came into the game in the middle period but Whalsay’s superb fitness told in the end with Zoe adding another through a reverse stick flick.
Zetland’s misery was completed when defensive stalwart Simon Skinner deflected a shot from Brian Irvine into goal, bringing the final score to 4-0 at the final whistle.
Delting 0, Whalsay 3
Delting won the pass back with Whalsay putting pressure on early, gaining the lead through a Maggie Kay strike.
Whalsay kept up their good linking play and were awarded another goal through a great strike from Ian Simpson.
Delting started to push forward but were thwarted by the strong Whalsay defence of Maree Simpson and Maggie Kay.
In the last minutes of the game Brian Irvine converted Whalsay’s third.
Zetland 0, Baker Tilly Ness 1
The scorer for Baker Tilly Ness was Scott Anderson.
Zetland 1, Delting 0
Zetland’s scorer was Stacey Clark and the match was finished early due to a head injury. Both teams decided to let the result stand.
Mixed indoor league
The Shetland Ladies Hockey Association mixed indoor league is due to start in November and will run through till March/April.
The league is open to any interested teams. Games are played in Clickimin on Saturday nights from 6.30pm to 8.35pm. Teams can have a maximum of three male players on the court at one time.
For further information and to enter a team, contact Kerri Moulder on (01595) 696367 or 07766 157579. All teams must be entered by Friday 3rd October.
Presentation evening
All teams are reminded that the end of season presentation evening for the Kathleen Grant Player of the Year Trophy will be on Saturday 27th September in Islesburgh Community centre. See team representatives for any further information.
