Women’s football squad chosen

WHITEDALE and Whalsay battled out a draw in the latest women’s football match while the squad for this weekend’s inter-county matches with Orkney has also been announced.

Whitedale 3, Whalsay 3

Whitedale won the toss and opted to play with the wind at their backs. Within the first minute they made use of this advantage, Karen MacKelvie running on to a through ball and slotting it home with her left foot.

However, Whitedale’s lead was short-lived as the infamous Maggie Kay made her return after prolonged injury and stamped her presence on the game, snatching a goal from a loose ball in the box Just when we thought the scorers were as experienced as they could get, super-veteran Anne Smith got hold of the ball and tapped a perfectly-placed cross from MacKelvie into the net.

A third goal for Whitedale came close to half time when MacKelvie powered another left-footer through the hands of of the Whalsay goalie.

Whitedale continued to press but unfortunately the creative play of Sarah Grogan was hampered when she hobbled of the field with an injured knee. This left Whitedale with a weaker midfield and some tired legs. Ali Elphinstone came on and did some super fast sprinting, putting pressure on the Whalsay keeper.

Whalsay, with the wind in the their backs in the second half, weren’t ready to lie down yet, and play continued with chances at both ends. Some excellent clearances from Alison Ramsay and tight defending from Naomi Johnson were making it hard for Whitedale to break through on goal.

Maggie Kay was omnipresent, popping up wherever there was danger and slowly the game was tipping in the islanders’ favour. However, Indyia Bradley made a welcome return to the Whitedale team, making some well-timed challenges and keeping Jenny Richardson and Zoe Irivine working hard.

Whalsay used the wind and had numerous shots at the Whitedale keeper Mairi Leask who did well to parry them away. Some determination and hard work meant that once again Irvine managed to find some space and time in the Whitedale box and placed the ball in the top corner to leave all the Whitedale team aghast.

Whalsay then used the fast pace of Richardson and pushed on the Whitedale defence. The youthful speed and skill of Richardson out foxed the Whitedale team and a last ditch tackle by Brenda Leask resulted in a penalty for Whalsay. Richardson stepped up only to hit the cross bar.

Eventually Whalsay and Richardson got their well-deserved goal on the 32nd minute of the second half.

Inter-county

Shetland Women’s Football Club will be sending two squads to Orkney today for the third inter-county fixture since the club began.

A team: Sarah Couper, Kristan Robertson, Debbie Sneddon, Brenda Leask, Zoe Irvine, Pauline Walterson, Jessica Bradley, Emma Gray, Lynda Flaws, Karen Jarvie, Karen MacKelvie, Mhari Moncrieff, Amber Johnson, Sarah Grogan.

B team: Julie Sandilands, Amanda Manson, Maggie Irvine, Lara Thomason, Monica Manson, Megan Nicholson, Sara McGregor, Toni Sidgwick, Amanda Johnson, Megan Burns, Jenny Richardson, Margaret Leask, Mhairi Irvine.

The games will be played tomorrow at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall, where any support will be greatly appreciated.