Aberdeen Women return to the Balmoral Stadium on Sunday as they continue their Park’s Motor Group SWPL1 post-split fixtures as Hamilton Accies visit the North-east. With the game kicking-off at 1pm, we are encouraging as many supporters as possible to make it along. Ticket information can be found here. For those who can’t make it, the game is also being broadcast online on the BBC Sport Scotland website.
The thoughts of captain Loren Campbell and Academy Director Gavin Levey can be found below.
Loren Campbell
“It has been a tough season, but overachieving last season has maybe hurt us a little bit. The level of investment from all the sides in SWPL1 has meant that everything has gone up a level. We would like to be higher up the table but the most important thing is staying in the league. That is our focus.
“It is fine margins at this level. That was the case in our last game. Spartans are a tough team and it is always close games when we play. We put on a good performance, but credit to Spartans, they found a way to win. For us, it is all about taking our chances and winning games now.
“There is no point in looking back. We must look ahead to these next eight games.
“It is a massive game this afternoon against Hamilton Accies. There is no getting away from that. If you look at the league table, we have a chance to give ourselves a little cushion over them. Ahead of any big game we try and keep the week at training as normal as possible but my team talk on Sunday ahead of the game will be pointing out that this is a cup final. As captain, I feel the need to say something in these important moments.
“We do not want to be going to Hamilton later in the season needing to do something. Getting some points on the board over these next few games with make life a lot more comfortable and allow us to play with a bit more freedom.”
Gavin Levey | Hamilton Accies Preview
“Every game we have had this season, we have been able to take some positives out of it. It does not feel like it at the time when the final whistle goes and you have lost three points, but when you reflect on the 90 minutes there is always something you can take from the game, and we highlight that to the players. That was certainly the case last time out against Spartans.
“It was a tough game in tough conditions, but we did not deserve to leave with nothing.
“That’s the sore bit for the players. We weren’t harsh after the game, we do have to bounce back and have more resilience, but we’re a young side and that all comes with experience.
“For example, the data shows there have thirteen points dropped from when we have been ahead in games, which comes down a lot to experience at times and being able to show the mindset and resilience that we need. That is not easy. It is not something that comes overnight, but it will come over time for these players.
“I feel there has only been one or two times when I have had to try and lift the players after a defeat and that is more after an away game and when we have a long bus trip back. There is a real energy and a youthfulness about them. They know what is happening at the moment, it is a big part of their development and they know what they are going through will help them in the future. They will come through this season stronger for the experience.”
