Reserve sides progress to semi-final stage
With the G&S Flooring Premier League on a hiatus due to island games duty, the senior football focus has shifted to the Shetland Chiropractic Reserve League and the league’s Knockout Cup.
Shetland Chiropractic Reserve League
Ness United 1, Whitedale 4
Whitedale raced into a two-goal lead inside the first 10 minutes with goals from Darren Martindale and Vinnie Walterson.
As Ness struggled to get started the early pressure was all from the tangerines, but slowly the home side started to get the ball and move it into areas that were hurting Whitedale.
Ness got one back directly from a Michael Farmer corner, his third goal this season scored by the same method. Ness were unlucky not to go in level at half time when a Kyle Malcolmson free kick glanced off the bar with the Whitedale keeper beaten.
Ness made two half-time substitutions, bringing on Kevin and Iain Smith. They started the second half much brighter and sharper than the first, and were getting the ball down the right wing for Alwyn Flaws to put in some dangerous crosses.
Kyle Malcolmson had a shot saved well from Whitedale keeper, but it was Whitedale who scored again through Ryan Jozwik.
As Ness pushed hard to get the goals needed to draw level Whitedale continued to cause problems at the other end. As David Williamson slid in to clear a shot, Robbie Leask judged him to have handled the ball and Piotr Drozdowski stepped up to the spot to make it four on the night to the visitors.
Spurs 3, Scalloway 0
Scorers for Spurs were Connel Gresham (2) and Thomas Sinclair.
Celtic 2, Delting 4
Celtic’s marksmen were Scott Anderson and Davy Reynolds while Bryden Mowatt (2) and Konrad Wojtowiec (2) were on target for the winners.
Whalsay 5, Thistle 0
Whalsay enjoyed their best win of the season a Harbison Park on a fine night in front of a big crowd.
James Shearer opened the scoring midway through the first half and it remained that way until the break.
Thistle had barely got going in the second half by the time Shearer had completed his hat trick, taking advantage of some excellent build-up play.
Bryan Irvine got his first goal in a while after beating the Thistle offside trip and finishing well. Connor Muchmore, home on holiday, grabbed a goal but could easily have had more had his finishing been able to match his dribbling and determination.
Best for Whalsay were Keith Pearson and Muchmore, who controlled the game in midfield, and James Shearer who at 15 looks a good prospect for the future.
Reserve League Knock-out Cup
(preliminary round)
Unst 2, Scalloway 2 (Scalloway won 5-3 on penalties)
A thrilling game on a blistering night in Baltasound saw Stephen Brown opened the scoring for the villagers on the half hour mark when left free at the back post.
Jordan Johnson equalised for Unst five minutes later with a low drive from a Martin Macpherson knock down.
Although it was an equally enthralling second half with plenty of near things there were no more goals until the final three minutes. Unst must have thought they had won when Simon Robin was sent clear to net by the impressive Iain Johnson. However, Scalloway had time to level things again when Unst failed to clear a goalline scramble.
Scalloway’s keeper saved the Unst first penalty while Scalloway netted all five to win the tie.
Reserve League Knock-out Cup
(quarter-finals)
Ness United 2, Scalloway 1
Both teams started at a high tempo despite the blistering heat. Ness were creating some good chances but as has been the story of their season they couldn’t get them in the back of the net.
As the half wore on it looked to be ending 0-0 at the break but Blair Mackay drifted of his marker and struck a well-hit shot past the Ness keeper.
Ness started the second half the brighter and after substained periods of pressure they got the equaliser they deserved when a deep cross from the right wing was met by Tomas Smith at the far post and he headed it past the keeper.
Scalloway were not going to take the comeback lying down. They had several good chances and but for the last ditch defending of David Williamson they could have had a couple of goals.
Ness made a change with 15 minutes to go and took on Martin Henderson for Scott Ferguson who had made a good effort of his midfield role for the night. Kevin Smith dropped into midfield when the change was made and the switch worked well as he broke through the Scalloway defence and slotted the ball home.
Ness had further chances which mainly fell to Kyle Malcolmson but he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.
Scalloway were denied the equaliser they were desparate for when Ness keeper Duncan Flaws pulled of the save of the night. He managed to tip a goalward shot over the bar at full stretch and Ness held on for their first win of the season.
Celtic 1, Delting 1 (after extra time, Celtic won 6-5 on penalties)
The scorer for Celtic was Paul Leask while Bryden Mowatt got Delting’s goal.
Whitedale 5, Spurs 2
No report was received from Whitedale but the scorers for Spurs were Thomas Sinclair and Sam Goudie.
Thistle 2, Whalsay 6
No report was received from Thistle but the scorers for Whalsay were Bryan Irvine with a hat trick, Keith Pearson, Geordie Irvine and Connor Muchmore.
Fixtures (all kick offs 6.45pm unless stated otherwise)
Tonight – Shetland Chiropractic Reserve League: Ness United v Whalsay at Cunningsburgh (referee Robbie Goudie); Spurs v Delting at Clickimin South (Stephen Goodlad); Whitedale v Celtic at Strom Park (Sarah Couper).
Monday – Reserve League (semi-finals): Celtic v Whalsay at Clickimin South (Michael Grant, assistants Robbie Goudie and Sarah Couper); Ness United v Whitedale at Boddam (Mark Goodhand, assistants Stephen Goodlad and Derrick Bradley).
Wednesday – G&S Flooring Premier League: Celtic v Unst at Seafield (Stephen Goodlad); Ness United v Thistle at Boddam (Michael Grant); Whalsay v Spurs at Harbison Park (Robbie Goudie); Whitedale v Scalloway at Strom Park (Mark Goodhand); Yell v Delting at Mid Yell (Robert Geddes).
