Time for the youngsters to take stage

Hibernian Ladies boss Willie Kirk believes his side are ready to shake off the disappointment of last weekend’s heavy defeat to Glasgow City with a strong showing against Kilmarnock.

Hibs face basement outfit Killie at Albyn Park, Broxburn (kick-off 2.00pm) and the club are ready to take advantage of a fixture break for their reserve side to unleash the next generation of talented youngsters.

With influential midfielders Hollie Thomson and Joelle Murray struggling to be fit in time due to a virus and pelvic knock respectively, the Easter Road side are ready to give youth its chance to shine.

Kirk commented: “The girls have looked focused in training and I’ve seen the positive response I was looking for.

“With no reserve match this weekend we will take the opportunity to involve a couple of our second string.

“Danielle Diey and Lizzie Arnott have both done well in the reserves and deserve the chance to gain some invaluable experience with the senior squad.”

Elsewhere, Hutchison Vale Coach Ian McDonald is targeting four points from the club’s next two fixtures as they plot a path to Scottish Women’s Premier League survival.

“I’m not over concerned with the lack of points at this stage of the season,” commented McDonald ahead of the club’s match against Falkirk at Dunipace Juniors (kick-off 4.00pm.)

“Our performances have been very pleasing. The girls are coming off the field knowing we should have taken something and that is a move in the right direction.

“Our next two fixtures are away to Falkirk and Hamilton and I’ve set the girls the goal of four points from these two games.

“They’re not must-win matches but it is vital we take something and to do so would give us a timely boost ahead of a meeting with Celtic in a few weeks.”

Spartans, meanwhile, celebrate their 100th match when Forfar Farmington visit Ainslie Park on Sunday (kick-off 1.00pm) and manager Debbi McCulloch is looking to mark the occasion with a win.

She said: “It’s a little bit of history for our club and what better way to celebrate it than with a victory.

“However, we know we will have to play better than last week where we played some good football in patches, yet were very inconsistent.”