Caithness Ladies looking to step up a league
CAITHNESS Ladies FC could be playing in the Scottish Women’s Football League next season after they confirmed they are looking at joining the national set-up in 2017.
Manager Darryn Mackay said it was the club’s ‘hope’ the county’s only women’s football team would be joining SWFA North Division 2 next season.
It comes after Caithness finished third in the Highlands and Islands Football Festival after winning two games, one draw and one defeat playing against Deveronvale, Inverness and two teams from Ross County.
Caithness made history in May when they played their first ever Scottish Cup game in Thurso against Dunfermline Athletic at The Dammies.
Despite the heavy 16-2 defeat, the occasion was seen as a big step forward for women’s football in the far north as around 300 people watched the match showing there is support for a team in the area.
Mackay said Dunfermline Athletic, who are pushing for promotion to the top flight of Scottish women’s football, are a long way ahead of Caithness in terms of development.
But after impressive performances in the Highland and Islands Football Festival, he believes the club have proved they can compete against sides in the lowest tier of the national league.
“The Scottish Cup match vs Dunfermline was an excellent occasion and experience but getting beat 16 - 2 is not a great result,” he said.
“Dunfermline are currently one of the top teams in the country. “This was an opportunity to play against teams at the same level as us. Deveronvale and Ross County both play in the SWFA North Division 2, which is the league we hope to enter in March 2017.
“This was the first opportunity for myself and coach Ian MacDonald to see the girls play against teams that we will be competing against in the league next year and I am delighted to say that Caithness will fit into that league and compete with confidence.”