Shetland Women's FC

UNITE SCOTTISH CUP 1ST ROUND 22.11.08

Once again it was that time of year again, albeit 2 months earlier than last year.  But it’s “Unite” Scottish Cup Time.

We had been drawn against Dunfermline Athletic Ladies FC who play in Div. 2 West, they are currently 4th in the table of their league, quite a daunting task ahead of our lasses.

After the usual boat trip and mini bus drive down to Dunfermline we arrived 2hrs before kick off, time for a bite to eat then off to the game.

After our warm up, team talk, lets use our assets i.e. we have loads of pace in our team, Plan ‘P’.

Dunfermline kicked off and were soon into their tough tackling game on 4 mins a good through ball saw Kristan Robertson make a good interception, on 6 mins Shetlands 1st attack, good work in mid-field between Lynda Flaws and Sarah Grogan (Capt) saw a through ball into Josie Jamieson’s path, she raced forward but pushed her shot which went over the bar, on 15mins Dunfermline took the lead when a through ball was misjudged by the defender and goalkeeper, the forward nipped in to poke the ball into the empty net 1-0.

The Shetland team regrouped and kept putting their more senior opponents under pressure, play was end to end, on 24 mins Sarah Couper was called on to make a great block from a low hard shot, next Indyia Bradley slid in well to clear the ball away, on 31 mins a Shetland move between Zoe Irvine and Jessica Bradley saw Jessica fouled about 25 yards out to the left, Josie Jamieson placed the ball with menace and cracked it into the top corner for 1-1.

Dunfermline roared back and good defending from Debbie Sneddon saw another attack ended, a move involving Toni Sidgewick and Mhari Moncrieff saw a ball through to Jessica Bradley who raced past her marker and crossed to the far post but Toni Sidgewick just failed to connect.  Shetland were now getting on top with Sarah Grogan and Lynda Flaws controlling their more physical opponents with tenacious tackling, on 42 mins Josie Jamieson was put through by a Sarah Grogan pass, but the goalkeeper got down low to block.  The Dunfermline team were now starting to argue and slow down, mostly due to the constant pressing by the Shetland team.

On 44mins Dunfermline won a corner, but Kristan Robertson cleared to Zoe Irvine, her ball inside to Lynda Flaws saw her go clear, but a Dunfermline player had gone down and everyone stopped but the ref didn’t blow his whistle, Lynda carried on but her shot was parried away for a corner from which Toni Sidgewick shot wide.

HALF TIME 1-1

The half time talk was “keep the pace and pressure up and they will crack”.

Shetland kicked off and the ball was knocked back to Lynda Flaws by Jessica Bradley, Jessica set off on a forward run and Lynda’s ball was inch perfect, Jessica raced forward and rounded the goalkeeper and tucked the ball into the bottom corner 1 – 2 to Shetland.

You could see the Dunfermline girls heads start to drop and our lasses were fire’n.  Now the midfield of Mhari, Zoe, Sarah, Lynda were in full control and the pace of the front three was immense.

But on 60mins a Dunfermline move saw Sarah Couper save brilliantly, down low, the game was not won, yet on 63mins again good defending from Indyia Bradley saved Shetland.

On 65mins another well built move saw a pass from Debbie Sneddon find Jessica who’s ball to Josie saw Josie race away to slot the ball home 1-3.

Shetland made a sub with Mhari Moncrieff coming off and Victoria Duthie coming on, she got straight into the game with a hard tackle, winning the ball and feeding it to Lynda, her pass found Josie and again her finishing was spot on 1 – 4.

Another sub was made when Toni Sidgewick off and Jenni Richardson came on, Jenni was soon into the game with a long run from her own half, but just lost control of the ball, the final sub saw Jessica Bradley come off and Stacey Laurenson come on.

On 73mins Shetland scored again when Sarah Grogan won the ball and passed to Stacey, her pass found Josie and she looked like she would score again, but the shot came off the post only to rebound to the on rushing Jenni who shot home 1 – 5.

84mins Lynda flaws nearly rounded off a terrific performance when her 25yd shot cracked off the post and away.

88mins A Kristan Robertson pass to Victoria Duthie who in turn found Stacey, her forward run saw her drive into the box but she shot just wide.

FULL TIME 1 – 5

“Wow” what a game, what a performance from our lasses, full of drive, fitness, enthusiasim, pace and team spirit “perfect”!

The back 3 of Kristan, Indyia and Debbie worked tirelessly and grew in confidence as the game went on.

The midfield of Lynda, Mhari, Zoe and Sarah put in a hard working strong and a creative performance.

Up front Josie, Toni and Jessica ran themselves to a standstill, always pressing their opponents and finishing their chances to great effect.

Not forgetting Sarah in goals, she commanded her box and put confidence through out her team mates.

A truly memorable performance from our team.

The 3 lasses who came on as subs all played their part, fitting in well to their positions and working as a team.

M.O.M. Everyone, but Sarah Grogan’s performance, so steady and commanding in midfield was “spot on”

A big thank you to our hosts for their hospitality and food after the game and the night time entertainment.

Afterwards, Shetland Captain Sarah Grogan said “This was a brilliant team performance, with strength evident in every area of the park. The fitness and pace of the Shetland team shone through, with a well deserved victory over a strong Dunfermline side. Let’s keep up the good work!”

The club would like to thank NorthLink Ferries, Shetland Islands Council, Bolts Car Hire and Hughson Bros for their continued support