Confidence ahead of‘must win’ fixture
LivingstonWomen’s coach Stevie Dickov says Sunday’s away trip to Hutchison Vale is a‘must win’for the Lionesses.
It’s the final game before the split for the team – who go into the weekend’s clash sitting in fifth place but just four points behind Championship South leaders Gartcairn in a congested top end of the table.
The split sees the top six play each other once more with the winners being promoted to SWPL2 while the runner-up faces a play-off with the Championship North runner-up for promotion.
Dickov says:“It’s a must win game for us. We’ve picked up a few too many draws so this is a game we just can’t afford to slip up in to be honest.
“We go into the game with real momentum and confidence and with all the players really buzzing just now so we have plenty of belief within the group.”
He added:“Hutchie are a very good team and they’ve improved since the start of the season so we can’t let our standards drop or think we can just turn up.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough game and they’ll keep us on our toes but if we play to our best we are confident we can get the win.”
With six games left this season and the Lionesses firmly in the promotion mix, Dickov is delighted the team are playing meaningful matches as the campaign reaches the
final few weeks.
He said:“It’s an exciting time because we’re at the stage where every game we play is hugely important.
“That’s what everyone wants – you want to be at a club where each game means something towards the end of the season. For us it’s just about putting a run together and if we can do that then I think we’ll be in a good place come the end of the season.”
Meanwhile,West Lothian’s three SWFL clubs all got their seasons underway in style at the weekend with wins in their opening SWFL League Cup group stage games.
Livingston Development – in their first year – picked up a convincing 8-1 victory over Falkirk Development.
Linlithgow Rose were made to fight all the way before grabbing a 2-1 home win against Central Girls while it was a 2-0 home triumph for Murieston United against Lothian.
All three sides have away games on Sunday with Livingston travelling to Dunipace, Murieston at Edinburgh South and Linlithgow in Kirkcaldy to face McDermid Ladies.