Hamilton Accies Women have had perfect preparation for SWPL2 opener, says boss Robert Watson

Hamilton Accies Women are ready and raring to go ahead of their SWPL2 opener at home to Livingston on Sunday, according to boss Robert Watson.

A carefully selected pre-season programme ended last Sunday with a 3-2 defeat at home to SWPL1 side Aberdeen as they prepare for the big kick-off, and while there are things still to be worked on, Watson reckons Accies are as prepared as they can be for the season ahead.

“It was important to get another game against opposition that will certainly be fighting to break into the top-six and at the absolute worst for them be one of the best teams in the bottom six,” said Watson.

“It was another game at home where the pitch dimensions are very different to most other pitches that we play on, and playing a team of that quality was really important.

“I’m pretty pleased with the overall performance against Aberdeen. There are a few things we can definitely work on, but it’s good that we’re in a position to find that out now, with the league kicking off on Sunday.

“Over the last two weeks, playing Sunderland down there and Aberdeen up here has been perfect preparation for the players, teams that have kept the ball and caused us problems.

“But we’ve also been able to pose them problems and try to implement what we’ve been working on, so from that point of view, they have been two well-matched games.

“It was important that we had that level of intensity in those two games, going into the season starting properly, and we’ve not had games that have been too easy.

“I think we’ve judged pre-season pretty well, and it has gradually got tougher as it has gone on.”

Watson is looking forward to action getting underway at New Douglas Park and said: “The players are raring to go.