Highlands and Islands League shaping up to be better than ever in 2023, according to Clachnacuddin head coach Craig MacKenzie
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Clachnacuddin women’s head coach Craig MacKenzie believes improving standards and higher levels of competitiveness could make the coming Highlands and Islands league campaign the best yet.
The Lilywhites won the inaugural north title in 2019 but, after Covid put paid to the 2020 contest, twice finished runners-up to ICTWFC development in 2021 and to Buckie Thistle last season.
MacKenzie, who took charge a quarter of the way into the last campaign, is quietly optimistic of mounting another title challenge but envisages a fiercely competitive league from top to bottom.
Clach open their campaign away to Caithness this afternoon.
“We’ll just look to bed in again this season and hopefully get a decent cup run, while challenging in the top half of the league,” MacKenzie said.
“Last year, you could see a real difference between the first time and the second time we played teams.
“Definitely, the improvement in clubs like Orkney and even Buckie from when they first came into it, is night and day.
“Buckie were initially getting beaten 13-0 by the likes of Caley Thistle, but last season they were beating them all. Caithness, we beat heavily in the first game, but by the second at their place they had fairly improved.
“The improvement is there to see from all the teams so it could be a very good season.
“It will definitely be a tough season. We’ve lost a few players, but we’ve brought in some new faces – and most of last season’s team has re-signed.
“The squad is showing really good commitment so far, so we’re encouraged.”
Clachnacuddin ran eventual champions Buckie close last year, but their bid for silverware faded late in season.
A younger squad this time around may help avoid a repeat scenario.
“The end of the season was a bit of struggle as we had a lot of players injured, but we still pulled off a few results,” MacKenzie said.
“The focus over the winter was to just try to bring in a few younger players that we can develop, with a few of the older ones stepping away from football.”
