Caithness Ladies take new belief into Highlands and Islands League Cup campaign
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Head coach Tom McKenna reckons Caithness Ladies’ commitment and growing belief can help them challenge for silverware this season.
They begin their SWF Highlands and Islands League Cup campaign on Sunday with a home match against Orkney.
Caithness reached the final in 2023, only to lose out to double winners Buckie.
They are determined to go one better this time.
“That's the objective,” McKenna said. “But I think it’s always difficult to try and replicate what you've done in a previous year.
“It will be a big ask, but there’s no reason why the girls can’t do it. They should have a wee bit more confidence than they did last year, and more experience in getting to the latter stages of cups.
“There seems to be a lot stronger belief in the squad this year. They’ve had a wee taste of getting to a final and it has given them an incentive.
“Speaking to the group, they do want to experience that again. It would be nice if we could get further on in this cup.”
McKenna has been delighted with the numbers at training and on match days.
“We went down to Ross County the other week and we had seven or eight substitutes. I said to them, this is becoming a regular thing, we've got a strong bench now. Everybody is fighting for their position – there's competition.
“I said you're getting more and more publicity and recognition and you all want to be part of this.
“It's testament to them. We had 20-odd girls at training on Tuesday night. I'm trying to get them in twice a week now and they’re buying into that.
“The girls are so enthusiastic, they’re ambitious, they really want to do well and they’re committed to it.”
The Highlands and Islands League Cup has a change of format this season. It starts with two group stages, with the top two teams in each progressing to the semi-finals.
Caithness are in Group A with Clachnacuddin and Orkney.
Sunday’s tie was originally due to be played at Castletown but there will be a change of venue. Halkirk is the likeliest choice, although that has still to be confirmed. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
“It's a difficult one on Sunday,” McKenna said. “Orkney are a strong team. I know they’ve had a few changes regarding their coaches and I don’t think they’ve started off as well as they anticipated.
“But they do have strong individuals and once they do get things fixed they will be a strong team.”
Caithness finished third in the league last year, behind champions Buckie and runners-up Orkney, as well as reaching the cup final.
In their last outing, Caithness tasted defeat for the first time this season with a 4-2 defeat to newcomers Ross County at Alness. They began the season with a 7-2 victory over Ross and Cromarty in Thurso before beating Clachnacuddin 4-1 in Inverness.
Results – SWF Highlands and Islands League: Orkney 0, Buckie 0.
Fixtures for Sunday, April 14 – Highlands and Islands League Cup: Caithness v Orkney (2.30pm, venue TBC); Nairn v Ross and Cromarty; Sutherland v Buckie.
