Burra and Whalsay to meet in Lizzie Polson Cup final

Isles rivals Burra and Whalsay will contest senior hockey’s Lizzie Polson Cup final after defeating Juniors and Scalloway respectively in the semi-final matches.

Lizzie Polson Cup
(semi-finals)

Burra 3, Juniors 1

The game started at a fast pace with Juniors looking confident. Karis Irvine showed her skill in midfield feeding dangerous balls to her forwards but Melanie Couper, Kirsty Halcrow and Louise Kok were quick to clear the ball to safety.

Burra were awarded a short corner where Kristan Robertson managed to sneak a loose ball between the Juniors goalie and the post, putting Burra ahead.

The second half started with end-to-end play with both teams looking for a goal. Good work from Lorrie Robertson saw Juniors win a free hit just outside the circle. Juniors used the self pass quickly which caught the Burra defence off guard, resulting in Jade Wilson equalising.

Burra upped their game with Sarah Young playing a ball out wide to Stacey Laurenson who then hit a nice ball into the circle where Bethany Laurenson was waiting to put Burra in the lead again. Stacey Laurenson scored Burra’s third with a powerful strike from a short corner.

Players of the match were Melanie Couper for Burra and Megan Nicholson for Juniors.

Scalloway 1, Whalsay 3

Both teams were determined from the outset since the previous league game game between them had been so close. Scalloway won the pass back and started strongly, pushing up through their central midfield players, Naomi Johnson and Mhari Moncrieff. They kept the play wide through Kate Moncrieff and Nicola Smith on to Lynn Scollay and Mel Inkster, where they were met by the strong defence of Diane Shearer and Fiona Dally.

Scalloway were pressing on the D area and their determination paid off with a short corner. A classic push out from Kate Moncrieff found Kerri Redfern and from her side pass Scollay cracked it into the right hand post. Smith and Rhiannon Inkster battled to score, with Inkster claiming the first goal of the game after 16 minutes.

Scalloway were elated, and possibly caught off guard, as five minutes later Whalsay got a break straight down the middle with Angelina Sandison through to Deborah Jamieson. She found Eileen Sandison running in from the left hand side, who sent it into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Scalloway as a whole seemed to deflate and played very defensively from then until half time, when the score remained level.

Whalsay came back into the second half stonger than ever, with Scalloway still struggling to get over the last goal. The Scalloway defence of Redfern, Inkster, Aimee Topp and Sarah Groat were working tirelessly. They created some classic deep and wide passing at the back, but Whalsay’s structure was proving very difficult to get past, with Maggie Irvine a constant threat, reading the ball so well.

Whalsay did not have to wait long before they scored through Jamieson, eight minutes into the second half.

Scalloway got their heads up and were trying different switching with Redfern constantly encouraging them on. However, Whalsay were linking up so well and continued to pile on the pressure through Zoe Irvine, Victoria Duthie and Angelina. In a move very similar to Whalsay’s second goal, Jamieson found herself unmarked and in perfect position to slot it into the net yet again.

Players of the match were Maggie Irvine for Whalsay and Kerri Redfern for Scalloway.

Association Rosebowl

Juniors 0, Scalloway 3

The game started fast with accurate passing from the Juniors but Scalloway were quick off the mark with good pressure from Naomi Johnson.

Scalloway continued to apply serious pressure in the Juniors circle and despite brave attempts from Karis Irvine and Lara Kay they got an early goal from Mhari Moncrieff.

Scalloway pushed for a second goal with Caitlin Holmes looking threatening. However, Tammi Anderson and Abbey Irvine worked tirelessly in defence. Along with the unstoppable force that is Megan Nicholson at the back they cleared shots wide which led to good linking play between Karrie Fraser and Rowan Nicholson. The first half ended 1-0 in Scalloway’s favour.

The second half began with Juniors looking more confident. Lynsey Morrison looked strong in the middle, driving forward and applying good pressure on the Scalloway defence of Rhiannon Inkster and Julie Brown.

When the Scalloway ball was swiftly pushed wide by Mel Inkster, Ashley Burgess of Juniors covered the line well. Meanwhile Juniors benefited from the fresh legs of Jade Wilson who worked well with Megan Hibbert and Hannah Hunter.

Juniors were unlucky not to equalise when a nicely-struck shot by Karis Irvine hit the post. However, the Scalloway forwards continued to try and add to their lead with strong play from Lynne Scollay up the line with Ellie Simpson in hot pursuit.

Scollay’s break into the circle was thwarted by Megan Nicholson but the ball continued over the line.

Juniors never gave up and were lifted by encouraging shouts from Debbie Sneddon on the sideline.

Scalloway’s second goal gave them a boost and their determination for another was rewarded when Scollay took a strike from the top of the circle which powered into the goals.

Player of the match were Naomi Johnson for Scalloway and Lynsey Morrison for Juniors.

Whalsay 1, Delting 0

The game started with Delting dominating the beginning of the first half. They linked well, with good play from Jillian Copland, Donna Murray and Brenda Leask, in the midfield. This meant that Whalsay’s defence had to work hard to clear any threats on goal. Fiona Dally remained calm, producing some excellent blocks.

Maree Simpson worked tirelessly for Whalsay on the right of midfield. She worked well with the rest of her team and her continuous attack up the field paid off when Whalsay were rewarded a short corner just before half time. Whalsay’s attackers took advantage, linking well and quickly working the ball around the Delting defence, which resulted in Deborah Mowat finding the back board.

The second half saw a lot of end-to-end play with both teams constantly on the break. Delting never gave up and were unlucky not to even the score when rewarded with short corners near the end.

Players of the match were Maree Simpson for Whalsay and Brenda Leask for Delting.