Brora Rangers teenagers are stepping up to league challenge
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
BRORA Rangers Ladies manager Mary Stewart has praised the performances of her teenagers during the opening games of the Highland and Islands League campaign.
The Cattachs have been hit by Covid cases, injuries and work commitments which have left them without a number of players during their first three matches.
As a result, players from the club’s under-15 set up have found themselves in the senior first team this season.
Brora Rangers are bottom of the table having lost all three games and have yet to score their first goal of the season and have conceded 20.
But they put in a good performance in their previous league match against champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development in a 4–0 defeat.
Brora Rangers are set to take on Nairn St Ninian at Brora Playing Fields on Sunday and Stewart says with a number of first team players returning, is confident they can produce their best performance of the season so far.
“We should have a stronger squad this weekend than we have had in previous games,” says Stewart.
“We have really struggled at the start of the season due to Covid issues and work commitments to get a decent squad.
“But I can’t be critical of our under-15 players who have just moved up as they have had to play the games for us due to few older players being available so far this season.
“Obviously, they are learning with every game that they play for us, but it has been a tough start to the season for us.
“It is a big step up from the under-15 league to the women’s league.
“But I have been really impressed when I have watched them.
“Looking forward, they are going to be a strong team for the club.
“Hopefully for this game we will have a few more of the older experienced players back but some will still be missing due to work commitments.”
Nairn St Ninian are a much improved outfit from last campaign and have come close to causing upsets this season.
They came up short in a seven-goal thriller against champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development 4–3 last weekend and were knocked out of the Highlands and Islands League Cup 4–3 against Clachnacuddin after extra time.
Brora Rangers started their campaign with a 7–0 defeat to Caithness followed by a 9–0 thrashing at Orkney before their 4–0 loss to Inverness.
They also suffered a 6–0 defeat to holders Sutherland in the League Cup quarter final clash at Couper Park in Helmsdale two weeks ago.
Stewart says she has been encouraged with every game that has been played and is confident the first goal of the season is not too far away.
“Hopefully this weekend we find the first goal of the season,” she said.
“Some of the young players are really stepping up to the challenge while some need to get more strength to cope with the physicality of the league.”
Elsewhere in the Highlands and Islands League on Sunday, Caithness take on Buckie Ladies in Thurso, Orkney face Kirkwall City in the Orkney derby and Inverness Caledonian Thistle Development face Clachnacuddin in the Inverness derby at North Kessock.
Sutherland don’t return to action until Sunday, May 1 when they face Caithness at Helmsdale.
