Inverness Caley Thistle Women boss Karen Mason expecting players to be feeling the effect of win over Rossvale after "whirlwind" opening SWF Championship encounter
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women boss Karen Mason described their opening day 5–4 win over Rossvale as a whirlwind.
The Caley Jags had twice fallen behind before equalising in the first half, then took the lead after the interval twice as their opponents were reduced to 10 players.
However, with the scores still in the balance in the closing stages, Natalie Bodiam popped up with a winner as the clock ticked down, ensuring the points would stay in the Highlands to get the new-look SWF Championship off to a positive start for Inverness.
“It was a whirlwind I have to say,” Mason said.
“There was a total mixture of emotions, high and lows, but at the end of the day three points is what we were looking for.
“It may not have been the prettiest at times, but we got a winner and it was a really entertaining game for everyone apart from us on the sidelines.”
Going in Rossvale, based in Glasgow, were a total unknown for Mason. They did well in last season’s regionalised Championship South and lost a play-off to East Fife, but that was all ICT could go on.
They posed plenty of problems at Millburn Academy on Sunday, though, and Mason was suitably impressed.
“They were young and fit, they moved the ball well and had bags of pace,” she added.
“That maybe caught us out a few times. They were a really good footballing team, and they will feel they deserved something from the game.
“Even being down to 10 players, they never stopped and were causing us problems on the wings with their trickery. You wouldn’t have really noticed, so we’re just glad that we got away with three points.”
Caley Thistle were only able to play one pre-season friendly, and the toll Sunday took on their players was clear to see in the closing stages, but there will be no rest for the weary.
“That felt like another pre-season game at times,” Mason explained.
“I don’t think you ever get 5–4 in the opening game of the season, but thankfully we were on the right side of the scoreline and there will definitely be some sore bodies after that.
“We’ll be back to training on Tuesday to make sure we improve again next Sunday.”
