Livingston Women's skipper hopeful winning mentality will see them through SWPL2 opener

Livingston Women's skipper Natasha Frew is confident the positivity of being crowned SWFL Championship winners last term can carry through into their SWPL2 debut against Kilmarnock.

The Lionesses host Killie on Sunday (4pm kick-off) at the Tony Macaroni Arena in what will be their first-ever game in the second tier.

And with most of the squad retained from that title-winning campaign, the captain believes they can continue to ride the crest of that wave and get off to a bright start.

Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, Frew said: "It's a huge game for the club. It's our first game at this level and it's a moment we can all be proud of. We're all really excited.

"Being at home and playing in front of our fans is a real added bonus and hopefully we can give them something to cheer. Kilmarnock will be a tough test, they had a great season last year and have added some very good players but we can be confident.

"Most of the girls are still here from last year and that was one thing Mike (Ross, manager) said when he came in - that he didn't see the need to make sweeping changes to a side that had just won the league and had gelled. We've all still got a buzz from winning the league and hopefully that feeling and positivity can stand us in good stead heading into the new season."

The top two sides in SWPL2 last year had been plying their trade in the Championship the previous year. Montrose won the title while Gartcairn fell just shy of promotion as they lost to Hamilton Accies in a play-off. That, says Frew, is why the Lionesses have every right to be aiming high despite being the new kids on the block.

She said: "Mike's very ambitious and the players are very ambitious. Nobody here is of the mindset that we're coming into