Rampant Shetland claim back Milne Cup

4 goals in the second half saw 2005 Island Games winner Shetland defeat Orkney 4-1 to lift the Milne Cup. The hosts went behind in stoppage time at the end of the opening period but goals from Leighton Flaws, Josie Kay, Joel Bradley and James Aitken made sure Orkney’s winless run on Shetland extends to 32 years.

Champions...Shetland celebrate with the trophy.

The visitors saw more of the ball in the opening period but it was Shetland defender Robert Smith who had the best chance, his shot flying narrowly wide of Davy Leonard’s post.  However the young Orkney team found a perhaps deserved breakthrough with half-time imminent.

A cross from the right hand side was missed by a sleeping Shetland defence and Rendall striker John Pickles tapped home from close-range for his first Orkney goal. The visitors came out after the break with the intent to continue attacking and this ultimately proved their downfall.

Debut goal...Bradley scores.

In the 51^st minute the hosts were given a penalty and captain Leighton Flaws, who has 4 Island Games goals to his name, fired home for 1-1.  Shetland took 10 minutes to seize a lead for the first time as veteran midfielder James Johnston picked out Josie Kay with a fine ball and the defender headed past Leonard.

With the visitors continuing to press further Shetland goals were inevitable and another defender, this time Joel Bradley, got in on the act when he shot home for 3. The victory was sealed in the 79^th minute when substitute Roy Wood crossed for James Aitken to roll the ball past Leonard.

Orkney threatened on a couple of occasions thanks to substitute Kyron Taylor but the result was never in doubt in the latter stages and the hosts could begin to celebrate lifting the Milne Cup once again.

Match information -

Score: Shetland 4-1 Orkney

Goals: Shetland – Leighton Flaws 51’ (pen), Josie Kay 61’, Joel Bradley 68’, James Aitken 79’. Orkney – John Pickles 45’.

Shetland XI: Peterson; Fraser, Bradley, Kay, Flaws; Smith, Leask [Wood 77’], Henderson [Drozdowski 70’], Johnston; Umphray [Jamieson 70’], Aitken [Sinclair 88’].

Orkney XI: Leonard; Manson, C Stout, ?, ?; Edwards [Taylor ?], Moffat, ?, ?; Bews, Pickles.