Scotland Women’s Head Coach Stuart Reid said he couldn’t have asked for more from his squad after they beat Dublin (3-4) 13-11 (2-5) at the Bught Park outside pitch on Saturday 2 November 2013.

Speaking after a successful weekend, Reid said, “I couldn’t have asked for more from the squad. It was an even game with both sides having periods on top. We led 7-2 at one stage but Dublin then fought back to lead 8-7. We had to make some formation changes but we stepped it up and managed to get ourselves five points in front before they scored a late goal. We were against good opposition and we couldn’t afford for to have any players below par or we wouldn’t have won the game. It was nervy at the end but we go there.”

A Saturday morning pitch inspection saw the match moved from the main Bught Park to an outside pitch. “Playing on the outside pitch was great,” said Reid. We escaped the worst of the weekend weather and a great crowd came to cheer us on. Another advantage of the outside pitch is that the crowd are much closer to the pitch which helped generate a great atmosphere.

On the opposition, Reid added, “Dublin were a class apart. They have had great success in Ireland and they benefit from playing together regularly and they have strength and consistency and they are even talking about introducing conditioning coaches which all puts how well we did into perspective. Dublin really enjoyed the experience and they are keen that we meet again next year – either over in Ireland or hear in Scotland – but that has all yet to be decided.”  

Reflecting on his first year in charge, Reid said, “I’ve really enjoyed my first year and this has been a brilliant squad and backroom team to work with. We have a very young squad and who knows what we can achieve if we can all stay together. We have an important AGM coming up where there are a few important decisions to be made on the future of the Women’s game.”

The WCA AGM takes place at the Alexandria Hotel, Fort William on Saturday 16 November 2013 with a 12 noon start.  

Picture courtesy of www.neilgpaterson.com