Kevin Murphy enjoying dual role
KEVIN Murphy is happy holding two crucial roles in women's football, despite the heavy workload.
The Hamilton Accies Ladies head coach has recently been co-managing the Scotland Women's Under 19s alongside Michelle Barr.
The young Scots face three crucial European Championship qualifiers over the next week, but Murphy is unfazed by the challenge.
Ahead of games against Austria, Denmark and Ukraine, he said: “Working with the best in the country, it's great and it does challenge you further as a coach. It's been great for my own personal development.
“The biggest thing I really enjoy about it – apart from working with the players obviously – is getting to coach in tournament football, because it's so different from club football.”
The Hamilton Accies Ladies head coach has recently been co-managing the Scotland Women's Under 19s alongside Michelle Barr.
The young Scots face three crucial European Championship qualifiers over the next week, but Murphy is unfazed by the challenge.
Ahead of games against Austria, Denmark and Ukraine, he said: “Working with the best in the country, it's great and it does challenge you further as a coach. It's been great for my own personal development.
“The biggest thing I really enjoy about it – apart from working with the players obviously – is getting to coach in tournament football, because it's so different from club football.”
Kevin Murphy looks ahead to the Scotland U19 qualifiers. Photo by Ian Steele
Murphy has recently returned with the U19s from a friendly tournament in La Manga, where they faced Italy and Iceland, and defeated the Auld Enemy England.
He said: “When you're away for an international tournament your time with the players is limited. It's more to do with your preparation work, and the biggest challenge is keeping them fit and able.
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SWPL: Hamilton boss delighted with unbeaten start
SCOTTISH Women's Premier League football finally made a return to the John Cummings Stadium, and came with a bang as Accies ran out 7-0 winners against Falkirk Ladies.With a first half strike, a flurry of goals in quick concession and two late efforts, Carolina Richardson, Helen Templeton, Cheryl McCulloch and Toni Mason all found themselves on the scoresheet, as they
grabbed their first three points of the season.
Accies manager Kevin Murphy was delighted with his side’s performance which maintains their unbeaten start to the new campaign.
He said: "[It's] great to be back here. We want to make it a fortress and make it difficult for teams to play here.
"First half we weren't poor, we were what I would call competent without being fantastic. Falkirk didn't break us down that much inside the first half.
"First half we weren't poor, we were what I would call competent without being fantastic. Falkirk didn't break us down that much inside the first half.
"In the second we were more positive. We had more conviction, created more chances and scored.
"Some great goals, individual ones, long range, then the well worked with interchange and combination in the midfield. Great variety of goals, they are a hard team who make life difficult for you. Also very important for us is the clean sheet."
"Some great goals, individual ones, long range, then the well worked with interchange and combination in the midfield. Great variety of goals, they are a hard team who make life difficult for you. Also very important for us is the clean sheet."
Scottish Cup final re-match at Petershill Park
IN the game of the day in Glasgow, last year’s League Champions take on the runners-up as Glasgow City host Forfar Farmington at Petershill Park in Springburn at 2pm.With reigning Champions City joint top of the SWPL after two games following a 3-2 win over Rangers and 3-1 triumph against Spartans, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black feels his team is starting to find their feet in the new campaign.
He said: “Last week we travelled to Spartans and a very good second half performance saw us leave with three points. Slowly but surely I can see the team begin to gel. We are creating lots of chances and I said last week, someone is going to suffer at our hands soon.
"The positive over the past few weeks has been the fact that we have had to grind out results while we settle into our system. We have had to see out a lead then fight back from a goal down, these are qualities of champions.
“Today we welcome Forfar and they will be looking to strengthen their position at the top end of the table. Last season Mark Nisbet and his staff led Forfar to their best ever season and just like ourselves will find it difficult to replicate that success.
“Today we welcome Forfar and they will be looking to strengthen their position at the top end of the table. Last season Mark Nisbet and his staff led Forfar to their best ever season and just like ourselves will find it difficult to replicate that success.
Forfar Farmington looking forward to new season
FRESH from pre-season training Forfar Farmington and their head coach Mark Nisbet are looking forward to another action packed year at the top of ladies football in Scotland. The team from Angus enjoyed a winning start after victory over Aberdeen in the cup, followed by a resounding 4-0 against Falkirk.
A tough pre-season schedule that saw them make the trip down south has given them an added edge for the new campaign.
The side competed in a four team competition in England, facing Liverpool and Doncaster.
Forfar fell to defeat against Doncaster, but Nisbet felt his side did well considering they were under-strength due to internationals, feeling it was a "good experience" for the team.
On day two of the competition the ladies faced Liverpool and Nisbt again felt that despite the lack of a win, it was a 90 minutes that will stand them in good stead for the new season.
On day two of the competition the ladies faced Liverpool and Nisbt again felt that despite the lack of a win, it was a 90 minutes that will stand them in good stead for the new season.
Glasgow City roar back to beat Spartans
It was a game of two halves in Edinburgh as a much improved Glasgow City second half performance saw them defeat Spartans 3-1.
City edged the first half on chances, but it was nowhere near a fluid showing from the Champions and they trailed 1-0 at half time after Kirsty McLaughlin put the hosts ahead right on the referees half time whistle. However, it was a different story in the second 45 minutes, as City comfortably controlled the game and scored three times through Lisa Robertson, Ruesha Littlejohn and Suzanne Malone, much to the delight of City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black.
He said, “I don’t know if it was anything to do with a one o’clock kick off but we seemed very laboured in the first half and we were very low key. I said to the team at half time that I was delighted Spartans scored as it shows them there are consequences for missing lots of chances, which we did in the opening half. However, our increased tempo in the second half and the level of performance was miles ahead of our first 45 minutes, and to be honest, we won the match in the first 15 minutes of the second period. We saw the game out comfortably, our keeper never made a save in the second half. I said to the players at the end, that at one time in the near future, someone will suffer a heavy defeat to us, when our chances are converted. I am delighted with a win against a difficult opponent.”
City edged the first half on chances, but it was nowhere near a fluid showing from the Champions and they trailed 1-0 at half time after Kirsty McLaughlin put the hosts ahead right on the referees half time whistle. However, it was a different story in the second 45 minutes, as City comfortably controlled the game and scored three times through Lisa Robertson, Ruesha Littlejohn and Suzanne Malone, much to the delight of City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black.
He said, “I don’t know if it was anything to do with a one o’clock kick off but we seemed very laboured in the first half and we were very low key. I said to the team at half time that I was delighted Spartans scored as it shows them there are consequences for missing lots of chances, which we did in the opening half. However, our increased tempo in the second half and the level of performance was miles ahead of our first 45 minutes, and to be honest, we won the match in the first 15 minutes of the second period. We saw the game out comfortably, our keeper never made a save in the second half. I said to the players at the end, that at one time in the near future, someone will suffer a heavy defeat to us, when our chances are converted. I am delighted with a win against a difficult opponent.”
Suzanne Lappin heads onto the roof of the net
The first clear chance of the match fell to the visitors after good play by Suzanne Lappin resulted in the midfielder crossing to Lisa Robertson just outside the 6 yard box, however her shot went inches wide of the right hand post.
SWPL: Glasgow City open defence of title with win over improved Rangers
GLASGOW City started their season with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Rangers, but were left fizzing by the referee.
Goals from Sarah Crilly, Jo Love and Eilish McSorley were enough for the home side, but both Rangers goals through Hollie Thomson and Megan Foley sparked protests.
City were also denied what they thought were two penalties, but referee Jennifer Carberry waved both appeals away.
Head coach Eddie Wolecki Black admitted his side were disappointed at some of the decisions, but preferred to focus on the positives from the game.
He said: “I think Rangers are a lot stronger than they have been over the last few years and we expected that but we just need to concentrate on ourselves.
“We can’t really comment on the officials but decisions like that are sometimes given and sometimes they are not and we feel slightly aggrieved at their second goal but we need to learn from it."
He said: “I think Sarah
will get a lot of confidence from the goal because it was a really good
strike and we’re happy with that as it gave us a good start in the game,
and I think she’ll have a good season”
Another chance fell City’s way when again Jo Love raced past the Rangers defence to cut it back for Suzanne Malone but her effort flew over the bar.
Women's U17s: Glasgow City 3-1 Hamilton Accies
ACCIES U17s opened the 2013 league with a fine performance against a talented Glasgow City side but all 3 points stayed in Petershill despite Accies Laura Gallen opening the scoring with a fabulous left footed strike from 25 yards.
The new-look 2013 Accies in all-red took to the pitch after what had been a time of significant change in pre-season however Head Coach Danny Turner has assembled a fine squad and is more than hopeful that Accies will be developing some real talent this year.
“The whole point of youth football is to develop the players for the senior game, and we have strong links between the youth setup and the senior teams at Accies that will allow the players to develop in the best possible way. Having said that, whilst our focus for the youth teams is never to “just win” we know the players will want to compete within the league this season and I am convinced their talent will allow them to do just that.”
The game kicked off in blizzard conditions at Petershill as the snow came and went several times during the game. However both teams were keen to stay as active as possible, perhaps just to stay warm!
The new-look 2013 Accies in all-red took to the pitch after what had been a time of significant change in pre-season however Head Coach Danny Turner has assembled a fine squad and is more than hopeful that Accies will be developing some real talent this year.
“The whole point of youth football is to develop the players for the senior game, and we have strong links between the youth setup and the senior teams at Accies that will allow the players to develop in the best possible way. Having said that, whilst our focus for the youth teams is never to “just win” we know the players will want to compete within the league this season and I am convinced their talent will allow them to do just that.”
The game kicked off in blizzard conditions at Petershill as the snow came and went several times during the game. However both teams were keen to stay as active as possible, perhaps just to stay warm!
Accies struck first through Laura Gallen after Hannah O’Keane collected Skipper Jodie Brannan’s pass and laid it off to the young midfielder. Gallen, ever impressive as the match went on needed no invite and struck with her left foot from 25 yards into the roof of the net to give Accies a 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately, an injury to the flying Gemma Whitson would see her come off injured but recent signing Nicole Barrett was a fine replacement and she combined well with Sophie Mason on the left side.
Countdown to the new season: Glasgow City
SCOTTISH Champions Glasgow City start the defence of their Premier League title this Sunday taking on Rangers at Petershill Park in Springburn, Glasgow at 2pm.
With the last six titles in a row bagged in the City trophy room, it will be an almighty feat for the team in bright orange to make it number seven, but even with the loss of a number of players abroad to professional contracts and a worrying list of injuries for the start of the season, few would be brave enough to bet against a team which has not lost a competitive League match for over 4 years.
The pre-season signings of Sarah Crilly, Lisa Robertson and Cheryl Gallagher have brought fresh faces to the squad, and the resurgence of strikers Ruesha Littlejohn, who was brought back from Liverpool in the middle of last season, along with Suzanne Malone reaching fitness and back in the national squad after nearly 3 years out with a back injury, gives City a new impetus up front. Add to that the re-signing of long servant Suzanne Lappin, who like Littlejohn has returned from the semi-professional English Super League to wear City colours and perhaps those who feel City are slightly weaker than before should think again.
With the last six titles in a row bagged in the City trophy room, it will be an almighty feat for the team in bright orange to make it number seven, but even with the loss of a number of players abroad to professional contracts and a worrying list of injuries for the start of the season, few would be brave enough to bet against a team which has not lost a competitive League match for over 4 years.
The pre-season signings of Sarah Crilly, Lisa Robertson and Cheryl Gallagher have brought fresh faces to the squad, and the resurgence of strikers Ruesha Littlejohn, who was brought back from Liverpool in the middle of last season, along with Suzanne Malone reaching fitness and back in the national squad after nearly 3 years out with a back injury, gives City a new impetus up front. Add to that the re-signing of long servant Suzanne Lappin, who like Littlejohn has returned from the semi-professional English Super League to wear City colours and perhaps those who feel City are slightly weaker than before should think again.
