Shetland Women's FC

There was plenty of action on a sunny Strom park last Tuesday when Whitedale took on Whalsay. 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 sloting it home with her left foot. However Whitedale’s lead was shortlived as the infamous Maggie Kay made her return to women’s fooball after prolonged knee problems and stamped her presence on the game snatching a goal from a loose ball in the box.
Just when we thought the scorers couldn’t get any older, super-veteran Anne Smith let go of her zimmer and tapped a perfectly placed cross from Karen MacKelvie into the net. A third goal for Whitedale came close to half time when Karen MacKelvie powered another left-footer through the hands 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 for Whitedale and did some super fast sprinting putting pressure on the Whalsay keeper.
Whalsay with the wind in their backs in the second half weren’t ready to lie down yet, 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 islander’s favour. However Indyia Bradley make a welcome return to the Whitedale team making some well timed challenges 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 MK 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 Jenny 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. The game continued and eventually Whalsay and Richardson got their well deserved goal on the 32 minute of the second half. This meant the score was 3 –3 at full-time.