Sport / Shetland rout rivals to win inter-county in front of delighted home crowd
SHETLAND thrashed rivals Orkney in their annual encounter on Saturday, as women’s inter-county football returned to the isles for the first time in three years.
A large crowd gathered in Scalloway to see the teams meet on a sunny day for football.
Orkney had clearly done their homework on the home team after a 5-0 defeat to them earlier this year, and worked hard to disrupt Shetland’s now customary passing style of play.
Waves of early Shetland attacks were either blocked or occasionally lacked a composed pass to unlock the Orkney defence.
Orkney were quick to attempt counter-attacks, but any through-balls were swept up by Shetland keeper Jessica Laurenson.
It took until the half hour mark for Shetland to strike and it was in-form winger Sadie Anderson who broke the deadlock.
A quick throw-in from right back Kristen Robertson set captain Rhea Nicolson free down the right, who crossed to find Anderson at the back post.
Orkney’s Beth Fisher hooked the ball away, but the shot was adjudged to have crossed the line with referee Dominic Mann pointing back to the centre spot.
The goal settled Shetland and before long they had won a free kick when Kayla-Marie Pottinger was fouled 30 yards out from goal.
Up stepped set-piece specialist Freya Leslie to loop in a long-distance effort over Orkney keeper Diane Kelday for Shetland’s second of the day and Leslie’s fourth free-kick goal of the season.
The half finished 2-0, but with Orkney perhaps disappointed at not having anything to show for holding their hosts for so long.
At half-time Shetland put on returning veteran Emma Gray and youngest squad member Miley Watt.
It was an inspired substitution as Gray and Watt were straight away involved in several flowing passing moves.
In the 50th minute Gray won the ball in the centre circle and fed the ball out wide to captain Nicolson.
The resultant cross was not cleared, and Gray arrived in the box to drill in Shetland’s third goal.
Shortly after 16-year old Watt latched onto a rebound outside the penalty area, calmly taking a first touch before powerfully finishing high into the net from 20 yards out to make it 4-0.
Young Watt then launched an inventive overhead pass into the box, which Gray knocked down to Nicolson to drill in a powerful left-footed volley and make it 5-0.
Shetland thought they had a sixth goal when Watt’s inch-perfect cross was headed in powerfully by Gray, only for it to be flagged offside.
Gray only had to wait another minute to make amends, latching onto a through-ball from Nicolson to roll in her second and Shetland’s sixth.
Anya Arcus came on for the ever-industrious Sadie Anderson at left wing, Arcus maintaining the pacey attacking threat down the left flank.
In the 73rd minute Arcus she burst into the box and unleashed a powerful drive to score her first Shetland goal and increase the advantage to 7-0.
Five minutes later three Shetland substitutes combined to score an eighth.
India Reynolds won the ball and put Watt through down the right wing, who again put in a dangerous cross.
The ball fell to debutant Morgan Taylor, who swivelled and powerfully finished into the Orkney net much to her disbelief and her teammates delight.
Post-match master of ceremonies Joe Smith thanked the match officials, and Glenn Gilfillan for his work preparing an excellent Fraser Park.
Shetland women’s 2005 Island Games manager Derrick Bradley presented the full-time awards, with Orkney player of the match Gemma Montgomery and Shetland’s going to Emma Gray for her excellent second half performance.
Bradley then presented the inter-county shield to Rhea Nicolson, who thanked both teams, officials, the mascots and especially the large crowd for turning out to support women’s football in Shetland.
She said “we just want to keep growing this game” in Shetland, adding that the hope is to set the intercounty fixture in stone for future years.
Shetland coach Kevin Main said the squad had doubled down their focus after the strong performance at July’s Island Games.
“No-one’s taken their foot off the gas. Every training session, every match – we’ve maintained a relentless mentality,” he said.
“These performances, this attitude, it’s inspiring the younger generation.
“They’re watching closely, seeing what it means to wear the badge with pride, to work hard, and to be ready when your moment comes.”
Player of the match Emma Gray said it was “fantastic” to return to the game after a 12-year absence.
“I was nervous about returning, especially being a lot older now,” she said.
“I doubted whether I could play like I used to or keep up with the younger players.
“But with encouragement from old teammates and family I decided to give it a go and only wish I’d done it sooner.
“The whole team gave 100 per cent on the day and, for me personally, it was something truly special to be part of.”
The Shetland women will now focus on their upcoming Highlands and Islands league cup final on 14 September, where they play Sutherland at Nairn County’s Station Park.
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