Shetland Women's FC

On Sunday 29th June 2008 at Strom Park, Whitedale played Unst in the Shetland Women’s Fc Cup. Unst arrived with a full squad looking enthusiastic and ready for a hard match against the defending cup winners Whitedale. Whitedale were unable to field a full team and started the match with 10 players.

The game started at a fast pace, with Unst using the speed of their young players to push onto the Whitedale defence. Whitedale held off Unst for the first 10 minutes but Unst managed to score the first goal by using their speed to slot the ball past stand in goalkeeper Angela Thompson. Freya Robertson was first on the score sheet for Unst. Just moments later Whitedale Pauline Walterson equalled out the score sheet and made the game 1 – 1.

The game then became a tit for tat of goal scoring. Unst continued to press and scored again with Robertson slotting home a hard shot at the Whitedale Thompson keeper. Walterson again replied with a goal for Whitedale. Amber Johnston then scored a goal for Unst once again raising the sprits and belief of the Unst players and travelling support. Linda Flaws then danced her way through the Unst players and slotted the ball into the back of the net for Whitedale. The goal scoring frenzy continued with Johnston once again scoring for Unst with Walterson once again running strongly at the Unst keeper and scoring.

The first half ended 4 –4 with both teams looking evenly matched. Unst with their combination of youth and experience looking hungry to win the game. Whitedale with only 10 players and very tired legs took to the field for the second half.

Unst once again opened the scoring with Robertson again, receiving a pass from Johnston and sprinting into the Whitedale box to hit the back of the net. 5 minutes later Mhari Moncrieff took the ball down the right wing for Whitedale, cutting into the box and finding the back of the net.

Lisa Johnston for Whitedale played an excellent role as sweeper managing to stop the runs of Robertson and Megan Burns by blasting the ball off the field and keeping the score line at 5 –5. Jessica Bradley for Whitedale ran tireously and threatened to score but unfortunately she had to be carried off the field injured, leaving Whitedale with only 9 players.

Both teams now looking tired and were missing their chances. Johnston and Burns both having shots for Unst over the bar. While at the other end Walterson just couldn’t find her form and failed to find the back of the net. A wonderful cross ball for Whitedale looked like the game winner however Ann Smith for Whitedale was unable to slot the ball into the net. Both players having worked hard were unlucky not to score.

With 10 minutes remaining. Robertson sprinted up the field for Unst and found the back of the net once more. The Unst team then nervously played out the last 5 minutes. But with 3 minutes to go Whitedale scored an equaliser. Linda Flaws hitting the ball into the back of the net.

Whitedale pressed on in desperation and looked like they would score with the last kick of the ball, but it went just wide of the net.

The game ended 6 –6. Unst were unable due to ferries to play extra time, much to the relief of the 9 Whitedale players. So both managers agreed to go straight to penalties.

Unst took the first penalty, Amber Johnston finding the back of the net. Next up was Flaws for Whitedale, she was unlucky to hit the cross bar. Robertson then took a fine penalty for Unst. Walterson for Whitedale made sure to hit the target. Megan Burns for Unst showed no signs of nerves and hammered the back of the net for Unst giving them the lead once again. Karen MacKelvie for Whitedale then took her penalty and scored. Louise Hunter then stepped up for Unst and managed to score striking it right down the centre of the goal. Mhari Moncrieff for Whitedale stepped up to the spot and converted the make the score 4 – 3 for the visiting team. Unst player Jenny Richardson then stepped up for Unst but some unorthodox goal keeping by Karen MacKelvie managed to stop the ball for going into the goal. Brenda Leask for Whitedale stepped up to take her penalty only to have her shot stopped by Clare Priest the Unst goalkeeper. Ending the game Whitedale 9 – Unst 10. The Unst players were elated and very happy to have won the game, and now look forward to playing Delting in the cup final.