Strong wins for Spurs in hockey as Delting lose out to Burra

Spurs notched up two good wins in hockey’s Association Rosebowl, seeing off Zetland 3-1 and Scalloway 4-1 while Whalsay and Juniors shared the spoils and Delting lost to Burra.

Spurs 3, Zetland 1

Spurs started off the stronger side and were able to keep possession with great linking play. This resulted in the Zetland defence being under pressure from the start. Zetland’s Lisa Johnston and Dawn Anderson were solid at the back and managed to thwart the Spurs advances with Gayle Henry and Lara Thomason pressing through the middle.

Spurs midfielders Emma Inkster, Rona Simpson and Gayle Johnson were able to mop up the attacks from the Keith sisters, Shona and Aimee. Spurs had a number of close chances and the pressure finally paid off when Karen McKay slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Zetland came back fighting and began to take advantage of the speedy Stacey Gardner down their right wing. This pressure resulted in Spurs clearing the ball just outside the defensive circle in a goal-mouth scramble. Aimee Keith then picked up the loose ball and made no mistake with a cracking strike from the edge of the circle, leaving Emma Gray in goal with no chance.

For the first period of the second half Zetland looked the stronger side with Ava Sim, Louise Moar and Irene Gray in the Spurs defence having to work hard to keep the Zetland attack at bay. Spurs managed to get a break with Gayle Johnson driving the ball up the right wing. She crossed the ball into the circle and Spurs’ Sarah Grogan took a shot on goal which was saved on the line by a Zetland foot. This gave Spurs a penalty opportunity and Rona Simpson calmly flicked the ball into the back of the net.

Shortly afterwards Spurs made another drive forward and Lara Thomason scored Spurs’ third goal. Zetland were unlucky not to score a second goal when Aimee Keith made a lovely strike from a short corner, only to be denied by Emma Gray who pulled off a fantastic save at full stretch. Special mention should go to young Roseanne Georgeson who played her first cap for Spurs who made some great positional play.
Whalsay 1, Juniors 1

This was a game played at a fast pace with each team switching the ball well.

The first goal came following a good break for Juniors up the right hand side of the pitch. A tentative ball across the goal mouth resulted in a scuffle which left an easy tap in for Bethany Laurenson. Juniors gained confidence from the opening goal, and had spells of good possession in midfield, switching the ball well and capitalising on the speed and skills of their young players.

Whalsay fought back and hit the backboard shortly afterwards, with Natalie Polson tapping in a shot which had rebounded off the post. However the whistle had already sounded and the goal was disallowed.  Angelina Jamieson was also unlucky with a superb strike from a tight angle just skimming past the post.

In the second half Whalsay dominated the game as they pushed for the equaliser. This resulted in several short corners, which Juniors survived through determined defending and good goal keeping. The pressure finally paid off however as Angelina Jamieson attacked a cross into the circle and made no mistake to slam the ball past the keeper from close range.

Whalsay thought they had scored the winner late in the game as they again hit the back board following a short corner, but again the whistle had sounded and no goal was given.
Overall it was a good open attacking game played in good spirit.

Scalloway 1, Spurs 4

It was Scalloway who took the lead in this game in spite of Spurs being on the attack. Despite their unsettling start, Scalloway’s Mhairi Moncrieff set up a beautiful ball for Andrea Henderson to tap home nine minutes into the game.

Scalloway soon settled into their pace and some excellent defensive work by Sarah Groat, Rhiannon Inkster and Melanie Inkster kept the Spurs advances at bay. Despite several short corners a frustrated Spurs could not meet the net. However Spurs remained on the attack and eventually they were rewarded with a goal from Sarah Grogan 18 minutes into the first half.

Scalloway welcomed two new young players to the game, Laura Nicolson and Thea Groat, who did really well in midfield and defence and did not allow the attacking Spurs players to put them off their game. Half time saw Scalloway return to their original line-up and they started strongly in the second half.

However Spurs appeared to have fitness on their side and strong hits from Emma Inkster and Emma Gray picked up by Rona Simpson and Fiona Grant soon broke through the Scalloway defence and 18 minutes into the second half Karen MacKay’s shot met the back of the net. Spurs continued to play a strong game as Scalloway began to fade. An unfortunate goal was awarded to Spurs in the 28th minute when a fumble at the Scalloway goal saw players unaware of the whereabouts of the ball; however Grogan’s eager eyes spied it and she tapped it home.

A quick turnaround saw Spurs take off with Scalloway’s centre ball and within a minute another ball managed to thwart the ever hardworking Christine in Scalloway’s goal, finished off by MacKay again. Scalloway worked endlessly with Kate Moncrieff, Hannah Burgess and Hannah Hunter playing well together, however Spurs were the stronger team on the night.

Best on the night for Scalloway was Sarah Groat while for Spurs it was Rona Simpson.

Delting 1, Burra 3

No report was received.

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