Women bidding to do double on Dundee Utd
Robert Watson has warned Hamilton Accies Women not to get complacent as they aim to do the double over Dundee United this weekend and take a huge step towards avoiding automatic relegation.
The New Douglas Park gaffer watched his side run out 5-2 winners over the Tangerines last midweek to leapfrog their rivals and move off the foot of SWPL1.
Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Spartans means they remain just three points clear of United, now sitting in the relegation play-off spot and seven adrift of automatic safety in 10th place, where Spartans currently sit.
This weekend marks a huge opportunity for Watson’s women in the City of Discovery, but he says they can’t expect the points to fall into their hands after a good showing against them last time out.
He said: “It is going to be a big game for both clubs and both will be desperate to win it.
“I envisage it being a close game, considering what is riding on it, and I expect us to start as well as we did last
Wednesday, and really go and take the game to Dundee United.
“Football is a funny game so we’ve got to guard against complacency.
“Just because we beat them a few days ago, doesn’t give us any right to win at Dundee United without putting in the right performance and effort.
“The win last Wednesday was thoroughly deserved. We dominated the game and we were worthy winners.
“So, hopefully, we can do the same again.”
The defeat to Spartans came after a frustrating second half saw the visitors take all three points via a Megan Quinn own goal, plus strikes from Mya Bates and Hannah Jordan.
Watson knows his side now have a mountain to climb to catch Spartans, but won’t give up hope.
He said: “On Sunday, we played very well but we were a little bit unfortunate with the first goal and the second one comes when we are pushing for an equaliser and that just killed the game.
“We ran out of legs a wee bit towards the end with the three games in a week [having lost 3-2 to Aberdeen the previous Sunday].
“We had targeted two wins from the three but we won the most important one of the three so, despite some disappointments overall, I can’t be too unhappy with the week we had.
“We are off the bottom of the table and we are now seven points behind 10th place, but there are still five games to go and a lot can still happen.
“Until something is decided, you still aim to finish in the best possible position that you can.
“Performances this week have certainly shown we are moving in the right direction and capable of taking more points.”
Kick-off at Tannadice on Sunday is 2pm.