Shetland in seventh heaven as they beat Sutherland to win Highlands and Islands League Cup final

SWF Highlands and Islands Cup Final

Shetland 7

Sutherland 0

Scorers: Nicolson (1, 49) Leslie (12, 60, 65) Goudie (27, 77)

SHETLAND were in seventh heaven as they made history by lifting the Highlands and Islands League Cup for the first time with victory over Sutherland.

A first half blitz sent Shetland on their way to lifting the trophy, before they continued to find the net after the break against a determined Sutherland outfit in the final at Station Park in Nairn on Sunday afternoon.

Manager Adam Priest said it was a fantastic moment for Shetland football saying it was a terrific performance from his team to lift the trophy in such dominant fashion.

He said: “Straight from kick-off Rhea Nicolson drilled a shot in around 40 seconds into the game and talk about a nerve-settler.

“It gave them the confidence to keep going, it was a great start to what ended up being a great game.

“We have had so much support for football in Shetland from the junior game to the senior game. It shows that we have some really good women’s and girls football in Shetland by taking the youth players forward.

“We could only take a squad of 18 as we have so many in the squad, there is so much talent in Shetland, but they will get their chance and there will be more glory to come I am sure.”

Shetland were making their debut in the competition this season and reached the final after proving too good for Caithness with a 7-2 win in the semi final last month.

Sutherland were in their fourth Highlands and Islands Cup final as they looked to repeat their heroics when they defeated Clachnacuddin 3-2 to win it for the only time in their history in 2021. They also reached the final in 2022 and 2024, but lost to Buckie on both occasions.

However, Shetland would prove their dominance straight from kick-off and broke the deadlock after just 36 seconds.

In a counter attack, Lisa Goudie surged down the left wing and crossed into the box. Her ball found Rhea Nicolson who charged towards goal before firing a thunderous effort into the top left corner from 12-yards out.

Shetland doubled their advantage in the 12th minute when Freya Leslie proved too much for the Sutherland defence on the left wing. She then cut inside before firing a powerful shot which proved too hard for goalkeeper Zoe Morrison to handle to make it 2-0.

Shetland continued to stamp their authority and made it 3-0 in the 27th minute. Nicolson played a cross into the box which was cleared by the Sutherland defence but straight into the path of Goudie who fired home from 10-yards out.

Sutherland tried to force their way back into the game and came close before half time. Lauren Bonner played a long ball to find Roxy Lewis who beat the offside trap. But  goalkeeper Jessica Laurenson read the situation to punt the ball from danger before the attacker could unleash a shot on goal.

Leslie came close to making it 4-0 on the stroke of half time when again she charged in from the left wing but saw her shot go wide of the right post. Leslie again came close when her corner kick smashed against the crossbar as the Shetlanders settled for a 3-0 lead at the break

Shetland killed the game off four minutes into the second half when Nicolson beat the offside trap to run on to a pass from halfway and fired a low drive past Morrison from the edge of the box.

The Islanders made it 5-0 on the hour mark when they won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Leslie fired into the top right corner of the net.

Leslie then completed her hat-trick midway though the second half when she connected with a cross from the right wing to fire home from close range to make it 6-0.

Goudie then made it 7-0 in the 77th minute when she beat a long ball into the box and then fired home from eight yards out which completed the rout.

Player of the match Freya Leslie says Shetland were confident going into the match they could win and was glad that her team delivered.

She said: “We were always confident we could, especially with our coaches cheering us since 11 months ago.“They said we booked our rightful place in the final. After the game we proved we could do it as everybody believes in each other and I am proud to be part of this team.

“This is amazing for women’s football in Shetland, there was loads of people on the live stream back home watching. After the Island Games and having such a positive performance there, we have managed to keep it going and finish this season on winning the League Cup and I am pretty proud.”

Shetland: Laurenson (Anderson 75), Robertson (S. Anderson 65), Mitchell, Leslie (Goudie 75), Nicolson, K. Pottinger (Anderson 59), Leslie, Goudie, S. Anderson (Anya Arcus 45) (Shearer 59), Upton (Veitch 65), S. Pottinger.

Substitutes (Unused): Williamson, Scott, Shearer, Autumn Arcus.

Sutherland: Morrison (Anderson), Simpson (Lewis 33), Sutherland, Bonner, Johnstone, Lothian (Johnson 33) (Coles 87), Coles, Matheson, Sutherland, Borthwick (Nelson 60), Macrae.

Substitutes (Unused): Macleod, Dunbar.

Referee: Bryan Cameron.

Will Clark

Sports Editor: HNM