Clachnacuddin boss says standard of women's football in north has improved
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Clachnacuddin Women manager Rob Macleod is already seeing the standard of the Highlands and Islands League improve – and believes that can only be a good thing.
The Lilywhites were pushed all the way by Nairn St Ninian in the first round of the cup, only just getting through after extra time 4–3, and this weekend host an Orkney side who beat Brora Rangers 9–0 last time out.
Clach will go into the contest on a high, but Macleod is adamant his side will be taking nothing for granted after being caught by surprise at the quality of Nairn’s play.
“Nairn were a massively improved side,” Macleod, in his second year in charge of the women’s team at Grant Street Park, said.
“It basically took us all by surprise how improved they are. They caused us a lot of problems.
“You could see in our faces that we were delighted to get through. Fair play to Nairn, they took it on the chin.
“Orkney did make life difficult for us last season, although we did end up scoring a handful of goals the last time we played them.
“Orkney beat Brora 9–0, so it appears that they are another team that has improved through some close-season coaching.
“We’re never going to take any team lightly. We go into every game expecting 100 per cent from everybody.
“It just goes to show that the level of football up here is improving, which is refreshing as well. Who knows where the girls could go from here? It’s all about development.”
Clach are not the only side in action, as the league returns to a full card of fixtures.
ICT Development will continue their defence of the Highlands and Islands League title when they travel to Brora Rangers.
Nairn St Ninian are the odd side out in the nine-team division this time around, but other matches on the calendar include an away day for Sutherland at Buckie, and Kirkwall City’s home match against Caithness.
