TODAY marks the last round of fixtures before the summer break and there is all to play for in SWPL1 following Glasgow City’s shock home defeat to Spartans last Sunday. That, and Hibs winning their game in hand on Wednesday, has reduced the gap between the leaders to just two points.
These results have given impetus to the notion that the new eight-team top division would be more competitive. Celtic, in third place, are not quite ready to truly challenge the top two, but may not be far away. Beneath them, Spartans and Rangers will want to improve on their mid-table positions next season.
The biggest disappointment has been Aberdeen. Allan Smith’s side could, and perhaps should, have finished third last year, but a depleted squad has contributed to just three wins in 10.
The club will go into the second half of the season without Smith and his assistant Vicki Paterson, it having previously been agreed that reserve team coach Stefan Laird would take over.
Smith has spent three years building up the club, both on and off the pitch. He believes there has been huge progress despite recent results, but Aberdeen’s geographical location has worked against his efforts.
“There are a lot of frustrations,” he admitted. “It’s a bit disappointing that a lack of resources at the SFA means that there hasn’t been more support for the game up here – something we have been trying to work with them to rectify, something we have been trying to work with them to rectify.”
Smith says the national coaches have been unable to attend games at Heathryfold Park, leaving his players feeling it is difficult to get spotted.
A further concern for the departing manager is that the national performance academy is situated in Edinburgh. The best of the young talent is pointed in that direction, which meant that Aberdeen lost Rachel McLaughlin to Hibs. And it’s difficult to recruit outwith the immediate area.
Smith has been pushing hard for a satellite performance academy in Aberdeen, a notion which is believed to have support within the SFA. Otherwise, clubs in the central belt are ideally positioned to hoover up the best young talent in Scotland.
More investment from the parent club obviously wouldn’t go amiss either. If the women’s game is to thrive it needs a strong club in Aberdeen, which, after all, is the home ground of Rachel Corsie, pictured, and Kim Little.
“I do believe that at under-15 and 16 level we’ve got an exceptional side,” said Smith. “In two or three years’ time I’d be expecting us to go and put in a right challenge. For now there is too much ability at the club to even think about releg-ation.”
“I do believe that at under-15 and 16 level we’ve got an exceptional side,” said Smith, ending on a brighter note. “In two or three years time I’d be expecting us to go and put in a right challenge.
“For now there is too much ability at the club to even think about relegation.”
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