Shetland footballers win inter-county 6-0

The victorious Shetland squad celebrate their Milne Cup victory. Photo: Jim Tait

Shetland demolished Orkney 6-0 at Gilbertson Park today in the 97th senior inter-county football match.

A hat trick by captain Leighton Flaws saw him voted man of the match by Scottish Amateur Football Association secretary Thomas Mckeown.

McKeown and the SAFA president Rex Gallagher, who handed over the coveted Milne Cup, were special guests of the local football association for the game.

Orkney were eventually outclassed, despite a strong opening 15 minutes which saw the visitors create several chances.

A somewhat fortuitous penalty in the 21st minute changed the entire picture, however, as after Flaws despatched the resultant kick with ease the result was never really in doubt.

Orkney's keeper Cameron McConnachie tries in vain to stop Finn Watt's tremendous strike. Photo: Kevin Jones
Orkney’s keeper Cameron McConnachie tries in vain to stop Finn Watt’s tremendous strike. Photo: Kevin Jones

Finn Watt made it 2-0 midway through the half with a great angled strike from the edge of the penalty box on the right.

Shetland ended the half with David Murray firing just over with a left-foot drive.

Orkney were out first for the second period but must have been thinking they had stayed in the changing rooms when Flaws made it three. A pass across the six-yard box saw him in acres of space to side-foot the ball home.

In the 63rd minute the speedy James Aitken broke free to make it 4-0 and substitute Calvin Leask scored the goal of the game 12 minutes later. A tremendous run down the right saw him play a one-two, race into space for the return and finish in style.

Shetland captain Leighton Flaws, manager Niall Bristow (right) and assistant manager Ian Irvine with the Milne Cup. Photo: Kevin Jones
Shetland captain Leighton Flaws, manager Niall Bristow (right) and assistant manager Ian Irvine with the Milne Cup. Photo: Kevin Jones

Orkney were barely in it in the second half and Flaws added the icing on the cake in the final minute, chipping the keeper for his hat trick.

Retiring manager Niall Bristow used all his five substitutes, Joe Kay, Connor Regan, Gregg Tulloch being introduced and even reserve keeper Ian Devonald getting a deserved outing for the last 10 minutes.

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