Erridge and her team-mates aiming to 'do Caithness proud' in first cup final
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Captain Carly Erridge says it feels as if the whole county is backing Caithness Ladies as they prepare for the club's first cup final appearance.
They take on Buckie Ladies on Sunday in the Scottish Women’s Football Highlands and Islands League Cup final at Station Park in Nairn.
Buckie are the cup holders and league champions. However, Caithness have made great progress under head coach Tom McKenna and they won't be lacking in confidence.
They are third in the league and booked their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Sutherland in June.
Erridge scored a double that day she says getting this far “means absolutely everything” to the team, who play their home games in Castletown.
“It’s a credit to the hard work that has gone into the club over the years – from the players, the coaches, our sponsors, the supporters and everyone else who helps us out," she said.
"Developing women’s football is something we are all passionate about and getting to a cup final has really given us a boost. It feels like the whole of Caithness is behind us, so hopefully we can make even more club history this weekend and do Caithness proud.”
She added: “We said from the start of the season there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to compete with the strongest teams in the league this year. We’ve come a huge way from where we were last season, but we know it’s no easy task ahead of us on Sunday.
"We need to keep our composure and make sure we’re putting into practice everything we’ve been working on in the lead-up to the final.
“There is so much talent in this squad and every one of them shares the same desire, determination and hunger as I do to bring some silverware home to Caithness. If they go out there and give it their all, that’s all I can ask of them."
Buckie captain Rebecca McMillan said: “Getting to the cup final means as much as it did last season, if not more as we now have a title to retain. We are always looking to better ourselves from the season before.
"We are still on for the league and league cup double so getting this far means everything to anyone that is part of the club.
“Our fitness and positive mindset took us all the way to the cup last season. Caithness have always been a testing side for us to play against, so we are expecting a tough game.
“We will have to use all of the qualities we know we have in order to bring the trophy back home.”
The final, which kicks off at 2pm, is the first major event since ScottishPower came on board to sponsor the SWF Highlands and Islands League in the summer. It will be preceded by the U14 final between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County.
