Nairn St Ninian's women pivot after opening day clash in Highlands and Islands League postponed
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Nairn St Ninian women could face the new Elgin City side in friendly action at the weekend after their season’s curtain-raiser was postponed.
It should have been a baptism of fire in the 2023 Highlands and Islands League campaign for the Saints, but fixture rescheduling means they will not now face league and cup double-winning Buckie Thistle until late May.
Instead, with the Saints’ squad champing at the bit to get going, manager Ross Hepburn is hoping to line up the bounce match against the Aberdeen league team before hosting Ross and Cromarty a week on Saturday.
Last year, Nairn enjoyed their best season since formation in 2016, finishing in the table’s top half.
“It is a frustration having to wait, but Elgin City are keen to play us and we’ll look to firm up that friendly,” Hepburn said.
“We’ve been working towards the start of the season from the beginning of January.
“The girls are raring to go and, for them, the less sitting about without football the better. They live and breathe it.
“Fitness is something we work on quite a lot and the value of it is proven in games. Last season the girls worked very hard and managed to progress.
“It is now just about keeping that mentality and continuing to push in the right direction.”
Nairn now coach around 100 girls, although Elgin’s emergence as a nearby rival has seen some move on.
Nevertheless, Hepburn is hopeful of continued improvement at the sharp end with the women’s first team, adding: “We’ve lost a couple, but also gained a couple of new faces.
“Good results can attract more players in.
“The league is looking quite strong this year but I’m hoping we can push ourselves up there as well and crack on from the way we were last year.”
