Bressay Sharks v Shetland Banks

6.45pm 22 July 2024

Shetland Reserve League, Bottom Section
Bressay Sharks 5 Shetland Banks 0 (att 9)

I had expected last weekend's game at Delting to be my final opportunity for a new ground while on Shetland, but I got lucky with the opening fixtures of the 'split' reserve league.

The top six and bottom six play against each other for the concluding fixtures, and I owe a favour to whoever scheduled the matches and gave Bressay a home game for the final night of our stay.

Bressay is connected to Lerwick by a frequent ferry crossing that takes just seven minutes. The kick off time was 15 minutes later than advertised, but made sense given the ferry schedule.

It's a small island, and one that I think is relatively new to regular league football, having played previously (and currently) in Shetland's Parish Cup competition.

Bressay and Shetland Banks were rivals in the Shetland Works League, until that folded and the remaining sides joined the reserve league. Banks are having a torrid season, having lost all 11 league games prior to this and scoring just three times.

They gave their opponents a walkover at the weekend so I had doubts whether this match would take place, but they arrived with a full complement of players including substitutes.

Bressay are just a couple of league places ahead of the visitors, and made sure the gap remained with a comfortable win.

Banks put up a decent effort though, particularly in a first half that was quite even. It took until just before half time for the hosts to go in front, then after the break two goals in the opening five minutes, the second a penalty, settled the outcome.

A fourth goal followed with 15 minutes left, and a late fifth rounded off the scoring. For the neutral it was an enjoyable game, and was played in a good spirit.

Bressay's football pitch is about one-and-a-half miles from the ferry terminal. It's enclosed, with a small car park and a shipping container used to store necessary equipment. Players change elsewhere and arrive by vehicle in their kit. Needless to say, the setting is delightful.