Shetland Women's FC

Thistle Ladies welcomed young players Lauren Hogg and Amanda Manson back into the fold for the trip to the Bonnie Isle. Unfortunately due to school commitments Thistle were without the experienced Caroline Watt and three others on school trips and holiday. So with only seven players available it was decided to even up the teams and play the game as a friendly.
Stand in Captain Amanda Johnson won the toss so Thistle kicked off into the stiff breeze. They suffered an early set back after five minutes when Whalsay broke through the defence to open the scoring. To their credit Thistle didn’t let this get them down and the midfield of Laureen Johnston, Lauren Ward and Amanda Manson were working hard to get the ball forward to Amanda J and on loan striker Naiomi Johnson. Whalsay were very quick on the counter attack so Lauren H, Claire Inkster and on loan defender Alison Williamson had to put in a tough shift to keep the pressure of Julie Sandilands in the Thistle goal. With 20 minutes on the clock Whalsay halted a Thistle attack and again broke through for their second. They repeated this 10 minutes later to put them three up. The Jags were having frequent forays into the Whalsay half, but being short of players meant that support wasn’t always on hand to make it pay. A further goal was conceded late on the half.

Second half saw injured Whalsay player Maria Simpson decide she was able to play in goal, so Deborah Mowat came to play in defence for Thistle to make it 10 v 10. Thistle were a much more attacking force now and Amanda J, Lauren W and Laureen were playing most of their game in the Whalsay half. After 10 minutes Thistle had the ball in the net when Naiomi lobbed the ball over Marias reach, but referee March adjudged Lauren W to be interfering with play in an offside position. There was a moment of panic in the Thistle box late on the half when everyone seemed to stop, assuming an infringement, and only frantic screaming from the touchline got things going again – play to the whistle! Julie was called upon to make a few important saves in this half, but she proved to be well up to the task keeping a clean sheet in the second half.

Over all a very encouraging performance from a mainly young and inexperienced team which, with regular training and games, should develop into a very good side.