Trio of Spurs, Whalsay and Delting set early pace in race for hockey shield

Spurs, Whalsay and Delting have set the early pace in hockey’s Shearer Shield, securing maximum points in their first two games.

Shearer Shield

Zetland 3, Whalsay 10

Whalsay made a positive start, penetrating the Zetland circle immediately. Maggie Irvine scored the first goal after just five minutes. Zetland soon regained their composure and started to press further into the Whalsay half resulting in Massie Unsworth scoring from a excellent ball from Ingrid Petrie to even the score.

Victoria Duthie scored the second for Whalsay. Zetland came right back with an excellent goal from Aimee Ketih and Whalsay fought back again with a third goal from Shelley Sandison and a fourth from Jean Winchester before the end of the first half.

Zetland were keen to get the score back level early in the second half but Whalsay made an early break with a goal from Nicola Duthie in the first three minutes and another from Maggie Irvine in the fourth. Zetland fought back with a goal from Ingrid Nicol in the sixth minute. Victoria Duthie continued to prove difficult to mark, using her strength in the tackle and pace to outrun the tired Zets.

Stacey Gardener came more into the game in the second half as Zetland switched the ball down that side. However Dianne Shearer was on excellent form and nothing got past her. Dawn Anderson (as sub goal keeper) pulled off a number of great saves and was very unlucky to lose the subsequent goals.

Best on the night for Whalsay was Maggie Irvine and for Zetland it was Aimee Keith for her great skill on the ball and distribution.

Burra 1, Spurs 2

Burra took early control with excellent passing between each player for the first part of the game. Spurs took their time to settle resulting in them chasing every pass. Burra kept the pressure on but an unexpected attacking break from Spurs ended in a short corner which Ava Sim converted for the first goal of the match.

Great team play was seen from both sides as both were eager to get the next goal. Burra were awarded a short corner and had an excellent chance to equal the score before half time but the ball was pushed wide.  Spurs cleared the ball well from defence up the pitch and in to Karen MacKay who scored Spurs’ second goal of the night, leaving the half time score 2-0 to Spurs.

In the second half Burra started strongly, determined to try and even the score with good attacking play by Stacey Laurenson, Josie Jamieson and Bethany Laurenson. Burra still had chances but were having difficulty getting the ball in the goal.

Burra were awarded another short corner which was taken beautifully from the edge of the circle by Jamieson and resulted in a well deserved goal. Both teams continued to play well, each having chances on goal but unable to score.

Player of the match for Burra was Josie Jamieson and for Spurs Andrea Tait.

Zetland 0, Delting 3

Zetland started the game well, immediately applying pressure to the Delting defence, and were rewarded with two early short corners but were unable to capitalise on them. Delting then got a break with good play up the right wing before the ball was sent in to Rowan Nicolson to score the opening goal.

After this Delting began to settle and continued to apply pressure on the Zetland defence, with Brenda Leask creating good play among the Delting midfield. Their good play saw the ball break to Janetta Williamson at the top of the circle who had a great shot on goal, lifting it over the defenders’ sticks.

Zetland continued to work hard with Indiya Bradley, Aimee and Shona Keith working well together up the pitch and firing balls into the circle. Ingrid Nicol was unlucky not to score from the back post after connecting well with the balls coming in.

The second half saw end to end play with Margaret Johnston organising the Zetland defence well and making some great clearances from the circle. Nicola Blance and Debbie Robertson were solid in defence for Delting, making it hard for Zetland’s forwards to get through to goal.

The game then became faster with both teams playing attacking hockey. Zetland were unlucky not to score when a strike by Shona Keith went wide of the post and another strike by Stacey Gardner went wide. With five minutes left Delting scored their third goal of the night through Brenda Leask.

Player of the match for Zetland was Indiya Bradley and for Delting Brenda Leask.

Whalsay 4, Scalloway 1

The match started with positive play from both teams. But it was Whalsay who took the lead with a well co-ordinated series of passes leading to a great strike from Shelley Sandison after four minutes.

Whalsay continued to dominate with some excellent play from Zoe Irvine and sisters Nicola and Victoria Duthie. But Scalloway put up a great fight, producing several good clearances before Whalsay’s Shelley Sandison again found the back of the net in the 11th minute. Scalloway went on to have a number of attacks but the Whalsay defence kept shots at bay and the first half ended 2-0.

Scalloway got off to a strong start in the second half but were unable to score. Meanwile Whalsay continued to show some very good midfield and forward play, but some excellent defending by the Scalloway keeper Christine Georgeson and midfielder Kate Moncrieff put paid to Whalsay scoring.

Nevertheless Whalsay kept attacking, resulting in another goal by Shelley Sandison after 20 minutes followed by another goal for Whalsay by Alison Williamson after 25 minutes. Scalloway continued to fight back and after a determined attack Sandra Petrie scored in the dying minutes of the game.

Player of the match for Whalsay was Shelley Sandison and for Scalloway it was Kate Moncrieff.