Hard-working Ness go down narrowly
WITH Whalsay out of action, reigning champions Delting were able to extend their lead at the top of the G&S Flooring Premier League thanks to a convincing 7-2 victory in Baltasound against Unst. It leaves them six points clear of their closest rivals, though the men from the Bonnie Isle have two games in hand with which they can draw level.
The other action over the past week saw Ness give both Celtic and Scalloway a run for their money before going down on both occasions, while Whitedale and Thistle shared the spoils after a 3-3 draw at a rain-soaked Strom. There will be little action over the coming weekend as Shetland travel to Kirkwall to take on Orkney in the senior inter-county.
G&S Flooring Premier League
Ness 0, Celtic 3
The game kicked off in poor conditions but at a good tempo with both teams trying to play football. The game was quite competitive with Celtic looking to avenge the defeat to Ness in the first game of the season while the home team was looking for a repeat. Ness were having joy down the flanks, particularly Celtic’s right with Alwyn Flaws getting in behind on a few occasions but the town side were also looking sharp through Leask and Mann. Celtic got the breakthrough via a controversial Paul Leask goal when it appeared the veteran striker was offside. Flaws was then sent in on goal but shot tamely at Paul Grant. As the first half came to a close Celtic’s Joe Leask flashed a shot just wide before Tomas Smith almost equalised for Ness.
The second half saw the town side with the wind advantage and they looked to play the game in the Ness half. Ness were still battling but received a blow when striker Kevin Smith was forced off with a knee injury. Ness were defending well and hitting on the break when they could but the final ball was lacking and they were punished when Ryan Grant finished a fine move to make it 2-0. Celtic were having more territory now but both teams were creating less than in the first half and as the game wore on it looked like it would remain 2-0 to the visitors but slack defending just before the end saw Ross Moncrieff given time to slot home Celtic’s third.
Ness United 3, Scalloway 5
Both teams took to the field hoping for a win as the last two contests had been close. An open attacking contest ensued with some hard tackles as both teams fought for the upper hand. Both teams had chances before Gary Burns put Scalloway in front. Ness were working hard in midfield and their forwards were pressurising the Scalloway defence and when Grant Redfern burst through and fired in the equaliser Ness were on top.
Kyle Malcolmson then came close when Tomas Smith played him through but his shot was comfortably saved by Brian Johnson. With Ness threatening Kevin Manson was hauled back in the box and a penalty was awarded. Ness’s regular penalty taker stepped up to make it three out of three for the season but his penalty was well saved by Johnson.
Soon after Ness’s frustration was compounded when keeper Eric Peterson was fouled when it appeared he had control of the ball and Steven Umphray capitalised to make it 2-1 to the visitors. The game continued to be end to end stuff.
Ness felt they should have had another penalty when the defender blocked with his hands but Scalloway went in to half time 3-1 up when Gary Burns scored. Peterson was having no luck as a ricochet between himself and Burns led to the striker scoring while on his back.
Ness came out for the second half believing they could still win this and flashed a shot wide early on. Both keepers pulled off good saves but it looked like Ness were beginning to control the midfield. Challenges were flying in causing a bit of needle and the up shot of this was a show of petulance by Leslie and Pitt. Two red cards were shown and the game continued as 10 aside.
Ness adapted faster to the change and the added space saw them repeatedly getting at the visitors’ defence. A great move saw James Moncrieff whip in a cross that was met by Redfern to score his second. Soon after Kevin Manson received the ball from Flaws, cut in and curled the ball in to the far corner to square the match. Ness were well on top now but a little too eager to get the ball forward and some reorganisation from Scalloway saw them counter attack well.
As Ness pushed on they were caught out by a long ball to Alan Davidson who ran through and slotted home. Ness continued to pressurise but a penalty from Robert Garrick just before full time saw the villagers’ home.
The young Ness side played some good football at times and once more will be disappointed not to take some points from the game.
Unst 2, Delting 7
This was a game played in terrible conditions – driving wind and rain – but Delting made the most of the conditions. They started well and went two up as first the Unst keeper misread a cross from Leighton Flaws that flew in, then Fraser Hall finished superbly shortly afterwards. Delting added a third through a looping Peter Peterson header. Unst pulled one goal back when a free kick by Erik Thomson was misjudged by the keeper and dropped into the net. Delting went further ahead before half time with a shot from the left wing by Bryden Mowat and an own goal from Adam Johnson trying to clear his lines in the wet conditions. Delting made it six with another shot from Fraser Hall. In the second half, Unst added another goal when Neil Smith capitalised on a defensive mix-up. Delting wrapped up the scoring when Alan Duncan fired home from inside the box.
Whitedale 3, Thistle 3
In horrendous conditions at a rain-soaked Strom last Friday, Thistle and Whitedale managed to serve up a fairly entertaining encounter. The visitors started positively but found themselves behind when a powerful run down the right from Duncan Anderson saw his cutback fired home well by Jon Moncrieff. Thistle responded with a free-kick from Neil Riddell which was tipped narrowly wide, while a Kevin Teale header ended just the wrong side of the junction between bar and post. In the second half the Jags equalised when Garry Teale scrambled the ball home after a partially cleared corner and soon after they took the lead when veteran Stuart Smith got on the end of a Riddell through ball to provide a slick finish. The lead lasted just seconds, however, as the dangerous Jamie Wilson equalised from 15 yards immediately after the restart. Thistle restored their lead with 15 minutes remaining as Craig Leask unleashed a fine strike from just outside the box to open his account for the season. Whitedale pushed defender Kevin Nicolson into midfield as they sought an equaliser and were rewarded when Wilson turned sharply and fired an excellent finish into the corner. The same player had a chance to win the game in stoppage time but prodded just wide when one-on-one with goalkeeper Steven Henry, but in the end a share of the spoils was about the right result.
Reserve League
Scalloway B 7, Whitedale B 1
The home team raced into a three goal lead thanks to goals from Alan Davidson, Jamie Allan and Duncan Cumming. Whitedale then enjoyed their best spell of the game and were perhaps unlucky to not have more than Jamie Wilson’s goal to show for their efforts. Davidson added his second of the match just before the break. In the second half Scalloway picked up their game with John Bryan Adamson scoring the goal of the match from all of thirty yards. Shaun McCafferey added to Scalloway’s tally before Duncan Cumming completed the scoring with well taken volley.
Delting 4, Thistle 3
Thistle took a surprise 2-0 lead early in the match with goals from Calum Leask and Lyndsay Thomson. Delting levelled the score in the last few minutes of the half with a penalty from Danny Peterson and a header from Fraser Hall. A Thistle own goal early in the second half gave Delting the lead before slack defending in the their defence allowed Calum Leask to score his second and level the match. With five minutes to go Bryden Mowatt won the game for Delting with an excellent finish. Thistle forced a few corners in the last few minutes of the game but Delting held on for a 4-3 win.
Celtic 5, Ness Utd 3
Scorers for Celtic were Sam Wood, Stuart Fox, Norrie Peterson, Scott Anderson and Jordan Webb, while scorers for Ness Utd were Kevin Manson, Grant Redfern and Alwyn Flaws.
Whalsay 7, Spurs 1
No scorers were received.
