An away trip for the return leg of Stenhousemuir v Westdyke is the fixture this weekend as the Warriors are offered a chance to make amends for the result on Matchday 7. Last time out in the league Westdyke travelled to Ochilview and left with all 3 points in a 3-1 win. The Warriors will now travel the opposite way with a point to prove.
Speaking to player coach Toni Harkness, she told us “I think (last time out) we just didn’t turn up. Yeah, we were running thin on squad members, but we’ve been like that the whole season – and we have worked well with the minimal squad that we have had. We just didn’t turn up against Westdyke. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was but after the game against Rossvale at the weekend, which was 10 times the performance, I think we can give a better account of ourselves.”
Last weekend the Warriors lost 1-0 to a good Rossvale side who play at the top level of the league above. Last time the sides met the Warriors lost 7-0 so a 1-0 loss is a big improvement. Its always tough to look at a loss and take positives but last weekend was one of those games. The players played well, defended well, and created chances.
The combination of a positive performance, despite the result, and the return of more injured players will be a boost to the team’s mentality as Shantel Paterson and Erin Wilson are back in the squad after missing the last leg.
Toni said “I think we all just really want to show a better account of ourselves. We all came off after the first game disappointed, we know we didn’t perform. We want another chance to play the way that we know we can so I’m looking forward to it.”
The league table has begun to open as teams drop points, which has meant the Warriors now find themselves sitting in 4th, 3 points off the top having played an extra game. Anything less than a win this weekend risks the team slipping further into the mid table. Something they will be keen to avoid.
Westdyke come into this match on the back of an 8-0 win over Dundee West in the cup and have so far gone all season unbeaten. They’ve been in good form and will be looking to keep their run going.
The player to watch this weekend is Helen Templeton. Dibs just signed for the Warriors last weekend but played 45 minutes as a trialist in the last Westdyke game, scoring the Warriors only goal of the match. She has 5 goals and 2 assists in 5 games for the Warriors – across this season and last, so she knows where the net is!
The game will kick off at 2.45pm at Lawsondale Playing Fields in Westhill on the 16th of October. Updates will be posted on Twitter during the match along with a highlights package made available later in the day.
OPPOSITION INFORMATION
Full name Westdyke Ladies
Ground Lawsondale, Westhill, Aberdeen
Manager Jonathan Watt
Last Season Championship North, 7th
H2H 0W 0D 1L
