Burra and Whalsay through to final of hockey’s Lizzie Poleson knockout competition

Burra and Whalsay qualified for the final of senior hockey’s Lizzie Poleson Cup, defeating Spurs and Delting respectively in the semi-finals.

Lizzie Poleson Cup
(semi-finals)

Burra 3, Spurs 0

Both teams starting with a lot of determination and great end-to-end play. Pressure was applied on Burra goalkeeper Sarah Couper but Spurs could not get the ball past her.

Brilliant play from Joyce Adamson, Sarah Young and Karen MacKelvie in midfield resulted in a rebound for Adamson to flick past the Spurs keeper in the 14th minute. Both teams’ defences were being tested but Spurs’ Susan Morrison and Burra’s Melanie Couper would not let anything past them.

The second half started with some great play from Spurs and excellent runs up the left wing from Sarah Grogan supported by Fiona Shearer.

Burra picked up their game with Kristan Robertson, Lori Robertson, Josie Jamieson applying pressure to the Spurs defence which resulted in Kristan Robertson striking in a fantastic goal.

This did not deter Spurs who came back fighting with great play from Gayle Henry, Emma Gray and Gayle Johnson but again could not get the ball past the Burra defence. MacKelvie followed on with a superb goal in the 33rd minute.

Players of the match were Susan Morrison for Spurs for her great defending and Burra’s Sarah Couper who played a storm.

Whalsay 2, Delting 0

Both teams were eager to get off to a good start and Whalsay did just that when they took the lead within minutes, Nicola Duthie slotting home after a goalmouth scramble.

Delting regrouped immediately and pressed to attack the Whalsay goal with Julie Kirkness making some searching runs and looking to set up Linda Gunn at every opportunity but the Whalsay defence stood strong.

Maggie Irvine was always a threat going forward for Whalsay, linking with Victoria Duthie who combined well with Shelley Sandison down the right wing. It was Delting who made the stronger finish to the first half, almost snatching an equaliser in the last minute.

The second half saw more of the same end-to-end play with Delting trying to claw back the deficit and Whalsay aiming to stretch their slender lead.

Delting’s Jill Hibbert moved into a more advanced position and held the ball up well to release Jillian Copland on a number of occasions whose composure in and around the D gave Whalsay many problems throughout the match, but they were still unable to find that elusive goal.

Whalsay had some chances to take the game beyond Delting but staunch defending from Nicola Blance quickly broke up any advancing play. Maree Simpson worked tirelessly for Whalsay, making some crucial tackles and was always dangerous on the counter attack.

In the last quarter Whalsay doubled the ead through Shelley Sandison who received a pass from Maree Simpson to send it past the keeper.

Delting continued to try to salvage from the game right up to the final whistle but in the end Whalsay hung on to their lead which means that they face Burra in the final on Thursday 8th July.

Players of the match were Maree Simpson for Whalsay and Nicola Blance for Delting.

• For fixtures and league table see The Shetland Times on Friday.