Shetland Ladies make winning start to North District League campaign
Family affair as Maggie Irvine plays alongside daughters and niece
SHETLAND Ladies hockey club made a successful start to their first North District League campaign at the weekend, recording two wins from their opening two fixtures.
A notable feature of the weekend was senior player Maggie Irvine adding to her Shetland appearances while playing in the same side as her daughters Kayleigh and Catherine, and her niece Shannon.
Coming off the ferry on Saturday morning, the team made the train journey through to Inverness where they faced Highland 2s at Bught Park.
Shetland found themselves up against a stuffy and experienced Highland side who proved difficult to break down in the early stages, but the blues eventually eased ahead with a well-worked team goal finished off by Megan Grant.
Further goals from Kristan Robertson and Brenda Leask, along with a double from Kayleigh Irvine, saw Shetland run out comfortable 5-0 winners.
Megan Grant collected the players’ player of the match award for an industrious performance in midfield.
The team also enjoyed great hospitality from Highland, who were hosting a club open day at their home pitch at Bught Park.
Sunday saw Shetland back at the scene of many previous District Cup victories as they took on Aberdeen University 3s at Aberdeen Sports Village.
With the university teams having just returned and players still being allocated across their squads, Shetland came up against a strong 3s side and faced a much tougher contest than the previous day.
The blues had to work hard to find a breakthrough, eventually getting the decisive goal when a shot from Kayleigh Irvine was stopped by a University foot on the goal line, resulting in a penalty flick.
Irvine stepped up herself and confidently fired the ball high to the goalkeeper’s left to put Shetland ahead.
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Shetland never looked like relinquishing the lead but, despite plenty of pressure and a number of goalmouth incidents, could not find a second.
In the end they were happy to come away with a hard-earned 1-0 victory against a tricky University side.
Sunday’s players’ player of the match award went to young Shannon Burgess, who stepped up from the junior ranks to make her debut for the senior side.
Coach Derek Leask said: “It was a good first weekend and we took a much-changed side away from intercounty, with a real mix of youth and experience.
“We were able to learn from Saturday’s game and try different things tactically, and it was a positive experience to play without the pressure of knockout hockey.
“The girls seemed to really enjoy the experience and it was good to see some new players step up and show what they could do. I’m sure we’re going to get a lot of positives from our participation in the league.”
Reflecting on Maggie Irvine adding to her caps over the weekend, Leask added: “That’s also what this competition is about. It gives opportunities and experience to Shetland players that they might not always get in the cut and thrust of District Cup hockey.
“To have Maggie playing alongside both her daughters and her niece is a great example of that, and it was a nice moment for them and for the team.”
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