Friendly game 2 & 3 have now passed with us having played both Rossvale and St Johnstone in the last week. We will recap both of these games as well as having a quick catch up with our new First Team Coach Ryan Smith.

FRIENDLY 2 – STENNY V ROSSVALE

After a good week on the training pitch last week it was great to get another game in so quickly for the players. This time it was a different test for the players when we took on Rossvale with our opponents from Sunday joining the SWF Performance Arm of the game next season. The warm and sunny weather added to the challenge on Sunday if you were a player but it was great to once again see around 25-30 spectators along at the game also enjoying the warm weather at Ochilview Park.

As for the game, it was an evenly contested match with both teams having good chances to score through out the match. From a Stenny point of view it was great to see some more regular faces return to the squad as who had missed the first friendly. We were also able to have the look at a few trialists along with introducing some of the new faces in to the squad. Rossvale took one of their early chances that they created by one of their wide players latching on to a through pass and hitting an early shot that sailed in the roof of the net. The Warriors were quick to reply through a corner 5 minutes later that was delivered by Nicole Mcphee and headed home by Carly Lauder.

The 2nd half saw both teams make a number of changes and continue to have opportunities to score a second goal but it wasn’t to be and a draw was a fair result in the end.

FRIENDLY 3 – STENNY V ST JOHNSTONE

A quick turnaround for the players saw them have to recover quickly before playing against SWPL 2 St Johnstone who still have an opportunity to be promoted when their league season returns on Sunday. Again this was a different test for The Warriors who aspire to improve and potentially compete with SWPL2 standard of teams in the years to come. In spells The Warriors were able to contest well against a technically good and athletic St Johnstone side. The Warriors again had chances to take the lead in the first half but it was the quality of the SWPL2 side that showed on the night with them going in to half-time with a 2-0 lead. The second half again allowed for more minutes in the legs for The Warriors players and they continued to try play and impress ahead of this weekends first SWF Games Programme Fixture against United Glasgow. However, it was St Johnstone who again were able to convert their chances to run out 5-0 victors on the night.

RYAN SMITH – INTERVIEW

Tell us about your first few weeks in your new role. How has it went?

I’ve really enjoyed my first few weeks with the squad. Making the transition from non-contact, to contact and then into games has been different for us all but I feel everyone took it in their stride. I’ve really enjoyed learning from Allan and Derek and I’m looking forward to that continuing.

What is your first impressions of the Stenny squad?

My first impressions of the squad is a group of players who are keen to take things to the next level. Although they are still adapting to the style of play themselves there have been positives over those 3 games played and I’m looking forward to seeing more progression in the next 3 and beyond.

What were your thoughts on the last game? (V St Johnstone)

I was pleased with most parts of the performance against St Johnstone. Although this ended in defeat I feel this is the best we have played so far and that is encouraging as it shows the players are fitting more into the system and style of play as the games go on.

This Sunday we play United Glasgow. What are you looking for from this game?

I am looking for us to continue the ascendancy and improve further on the previous 3 games. Being our first away game too I am also looking forward to seeing how the players react in a different environment but must importantly it’s about minutes in the legs as we push on through the games programme.

GAMES PROGRAMME MATCH 1 – UTD. GLASGOW V STENNY

Sunday 6th June

Garscube Sports Centre

1:45pm Kick Off

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