The Playoff Special

Two games are lined up at Broadwood on Saturday 4th June. Promotion and relegation in the balance, here's what to look out for.

It is often said “no one wants to talk about relegation”. A topic that is pushed to the side and spoken about in hushed tones. But, while it isn’t fun to be relegated with the right attitude it can help a club re-find what makes them special. For Hamilton Accies and Stirling Uni, the playoffs are a chance to take the hits of a tough season and use them to fuel one last big moment. For Gartcairn and Rossvale it is one last game after an amazing campaign, all the momentum they’ve got has been building to this.

Tickets are still available for the playoffs here with the games taking place at Broadwood Stadium, 12:10 KO for the SWPL 2 playoff between Stirling Uni and Rossvale, and 16:10 KO for the SWPL playoff between Accies and Gartcairn. They will also be broadcast live on BBC Alba but your support could be the difference in [your club] coming out victorious.

So, how are things looking ahead of this final chance to stay/go up? Who stand out as the difference makers? What might the future hold for these sides?

SWPL Playoff

Hamilton Accies

In the lead up to this one Accies manager, Gary Doctor, announced that he would be stepping down and ending his 11-year association with the club after this final game. An extra incentive for Accies to give him one last big moment and see hi away on a high. At the start of the season Josephine Giard promised us a more attacking Accies, and they have delivered, scoring more than double their tally from last season. The caveat being that there has been 5 games more in this season after the restructure that took place over the summer - the same restructure that saved Accies from relegation. Unfortunately, they have traded in some defensive structure to achieve this, conceding 2.9 goals per game compared to 2.6 per 90 in 21/22. Over the course of the season that equates to 24 additional goals conceded, a number that no side would be comfortable with not least one at the bottom end of the table. Other than Glasgow Women who failed to pick up a single point, Accies have conceded more than anyone else in the league. 16 more than Aberdeen and 17 more than Dundee United. It is that stat that has left them in need of a big performance on Sunday.

Doctor’s side typically set up with a very deep back 4 and aim to suffocate the opposition before breaking up field quickly and exploiting any gaps left in the defence, a tactic that is utilised by a number of clubs towards the lower end of the SWPL. The problems for Accies have come in the space between their midfield and defence. Their structure off the ball, and players engaging the ball leaving gaps in behind with teammates not covering, has been problematic to say the least. If they are to secure safety in the playoff they will need to have more belief in their ability as both individuals and as a team. That gap has to be closed and bringing the defence up the field can help them. The cost of that is conceding more chances in behind, fortunately for them Chloe Nicolson in goal has shown herself to be adept at dealing with those one v one situations. Moving the defence up the field could give her more of a chance with the attacker further away from the goal if they do break through. She has made some incredible saves this season (including one against Aberdeen that was incredibly unlucky to be judged to have crossed the line), she’ll no doubt be called upon in this one. Defenders Coakley and Quinn will also be heavily involved, tasked with keeping Gartcairn’s very prolific attack quiet.

On the positive side they’ve only lost once in their last 5, that form will have given a boost to confidence and their general morale. In those 5 games they have shown that they are more than capable of competing at this level. ‘Der Bomber’ Josephine Giard is a player that has a career of experience to show she has the required ability, a complete forward who creates chances out of nothing for herself and her teammates. We wouldn’t be surprised if she is the difference at Broadwood. Alongside her, on-loan Rangers youngster, Eilidh Austin contributed 5 goals and an assist in the final 5 games, and in Lucy Sinclair they can boast one of the most in form players in the SWPL. The midfield playmaker was nominated for player of the month in May after scoring 3 and assisting another during Accies good run of form to end the season. They will come into this with confidence, when the big “don’t lose” occasions have arisen they have stood up tall. Beating Motherwell and Aberdeen and twice drawing with Dundee United in the run in to stay in touching distance of safety. The only time they’ve not achieved the necessary result being the final day draw with Dundee United and on another day they’d have come out of that one victorious. A penalty decision going against them and then being denied one of their own was the difference between the two.

If they stay up they will need to undergo a serious review, and quick. The summer window will be key and the season comes back around before you know it. With a league of just 12, and the split, becoming relegation threatened is only a whisper away. They need to hone in on what makes the club unique and how they can turn that into an advantage. A quick managerial appointment is needed, whatever division they are in. Relegation would be a chance to reinvent themselves but SWPL 2 is strong and there’s no guarantee of going straight back up. The relegation of the men’s side is an additional complication that can’t be ignored. We’ve seen a consistent theme of clubs pulling resources when the men’s team struggles, we would hope Accies wouldn’t add to that but it will remain the elephant in the room if they are to go down.

Gartcairn

Gartcairn were promoted from the SWF Championship South (now just the SWF Championship following restructuring) this season, coming into SWPL 2 for the first time. Alongside Montrose there were no real expectations of them at the start of the season, with no promotion to, or relegation from, SWPL 2 since 2019 there was nothing to judge the level that they would come in at against. It very quickly became clear that the level was high and the confidence from the previous year’s title win was still flowing. In the 11 games between the start of the season and January, Gartcairn won 8. Recording just 2 losses (Montrose and Queen’s Park) and 1 draw (Stirling Uni). Along with every side in the division not named Montrose, the good form came to an end during the final phase of the season. SWPL 2 is a very close division and it felt like no one would secure the playoff place as teams failed to take advantage of results elsewhere. Gartcairn went through their own difficulties off the pitch during this, but similarly to Accies they have been strong mentally. When they have had to regroup and the race has been out of their hands they have stepped up and got what is needed from them done.

The big question now is, can they compete another division above? The young side have shown their SWPL 2 credentials but the top division is another level again. This tie against Accies might just be one step too far. Two players that many believe absolutely will be playing top division football next season, no matter the outcome, come in the form of Gartcairn’s joint players of the year. The goals of 18-year-old striker Ami Robertson and assists of 17-year-old Caitlin Moran have been crucial in Gartcairn’s promotion campaign. The two young stars have taken to senior football with fearlessness and exuberance. Two players that go out onto the pitch with the belief that they are going to make the difference, and more often than not they have.

Robert McCallum’s side are more often than not found in a 4-4-2, similar to Hamilton, however in contrast to their Lanarkshire rivals Gartcairn keep the pitch as wide as possible. Often both full backs are found high with one of the central midfielders between them to help control play and 5 pushing for gaps in the area. This can leave them vulnerable to the counter attack and with a keeper that at times doesn’t look too comfortable acting as a sweeper has had led to some very high scoring games. If Accies can be brave in leaving Giard and Martin up high to break at speed they could find some joy here. If their defence switches off for even a second though, they will be in danger themselves. The weakness in not commanding the area also translates to set plays, a quick view of the goals Gartcairn have conceded this season will start to give you a feeling of de ja vu after the first few. Corners and free kicks into the box swinging towards the keeper have often found joy for opposition sides

Going up would be a huge task for the 2-year-old club and they will need to look at not only where they can improve themselves, but also at what has gone wrong for Glasgow Women. It’s too early to say whether promotion would be premature, they are not shy when it comes to investment and being ambitious, but it will be a much different environment to the one this year. They’ll have to take small victories when they can get them and accept that avoiding going straight back down would be an achievement. If they don’t achieve promotion this year then, long term, it could be of benefit. It would give them a chance to stabilise in SWPL 2 and work on some of the issues that have arisen throughout their first season in the division as a semi-professional club. A chance to take a breather after a rapid rise through the leagues would not be the end of the world and when the disappointment wears off if they are to fall at the last they should still be extremely proud of themselves.

SWPL 2 Playoff

Stirling Uni

Stirling Uni might have had the strangest last 3 years in football possible. In the 2020-21 season they finished last and should have headed to the relegation playoff but after Forfar Farmington folded that was cancelled. In 2021-22 they finished last and should have gone down but with restructuring ahead of the SPFL taking over they were saved. In 2022-23 they have finished second bottom and might go down, but have more points than in both of those seasons combined with 4 wins and 6 draws compared to the 4 wins and 5 draws of the two previous seasons combined. It is always going to be a tough task for the students with the squad changing significantly every year and players typically leaving before they reach their prime as they graduate.

One thing is for sure, whatever division they end up in there will be some big interest in a number of their players. Shana MacPhail scored 13 despite the club’s rough form, Carrie McGorm in her debut season has excelled in a number of positions and scored a fair few of her own. Then there’s Cypriot international and tricky winger Athina Varnava and defensive stalwart Rebecca Hellgren. It is a squad that has a lot of talent and, despite their ages, a lot of experience at SWPL 2 level.

The youthful nature of the club has translated into how Nile Robbins sets up the side, typically an all action team playing with a high tempo and press. They have, on occasion, gone too far with that this season which has led to some defensive frailty but more often than not it has taken teams by surprise and any hint of hesitation has been taken advantage of. They’ve also got a squad that is very capable of the spectacular and some of the goals they’ve scored this season rival even, goal of the season machine, Rachel Donaldson’s best for Partick Thistle.

Where Rossvale can get at them is from set pieces. Stirling Uni are in a position where they concede far too often from crosses coming in from a dead ball. All 3 goals that secured Gartcairn’s playoff place came from second contacts on corners (one of them a touch debatable whether it actually crossed the line). Their initial set up has been fine, and their keeper has made some brilliant point-blank saves, but time and time again they are disorganised and concede from the second phase. Whether it is a second contact after a rebound, a clearance that falls to an attacking player to put back in the box, or a bit of pinball around the 18 yard box. It is beyond just being bad luck at this point and is a serious issue within their defensive set up, something Rossvale will be looking at with cartoon-ish eyes on stalks and awooga sound effects.

For Stirling Uni the division they are in doesn’t really impact the project at the club. First and foremost they exist to develop young players and to provide a playing pathway for students at the university. It’s worth noting they also compete in BUCS games against other universities throughout the season so likely play more football than any other club anywhere in the world (this is hyperbole before anyone comes for us). If they stay in SWPL 2 then it’s great and it’s another year of experience and developing in Scotland’s second tier, a chance for players to put themselves in the spotlight to earn professional deals elsewhere in the future. If they go down it is likely that they’ll have a lot more fun, the Championship isn’t easy but Stirling Uni’s squad is more than good enough to win more than they lose for the first time in a long time. It is likely that with the game’s growth we aren’t too far away from Stirling Uni falling down the leagues a bit, and potentially creating a similar partnership to what Edinburgh Uni have with Boroughmuir Thistle. That’s something that will be on the long term agenda, in the short term SWPL 2 survival is the focus and despite the result not being the most important thing in the world for the future of the club as a development hub, the players will be right up for it to ensure they aren’t the ones that are in the relegated side.

Rossvale

Rossvale are the most unknown of the teams, we don’t have the resource to regularly cover the Championship and there is a dearth of information and video footage of the SWF Championship which makes researching them difficult. We have, however, had “nana nana nana nana, na, na, na, Kaitlyn Canavan, Canavan, Kaaiitlyn Canavaaaan” stuck in our heads since that Renfrew game that confirmed their spot in Sunday’s playoff and if that doesn’t count as in depth tactical analysis, we don’t know what does.

Boasting a number of former SWPL 1 players, including Nicolson’s predecessor in the Accies goal, Sarah Rhind, and the aforementioned Kaitlyn Canavan. Rossvale have a very talented squad that will be buzzing to make amends for last season’s loss to East Fife. Their record in the last 5 games shows just how up for this one they will be. 5 wins, 15 goals scored, just 3 conceded. Only Livingston scored more than them and conceded fewer over the season. With Rossvale 8 goals scored and 10 conceded better off than Renfrew, despite it going down to the very final game.

For Rossvale going up will obviously mean they are able to easier keep the standard of player they have around, it will also be the culmination of the hard work Julie McSherry and the Rossvale backroom staff have put in. If they can keep the squad together we would expect them to put in a decent showing the division above. They will be wary of the performance of the team that was promoted over them last season, East Fife, though. Their season hasn’t been awful but they have been a clear step behind those above them. If they don’t go up, hopefully they will hold their nerve and hold on to the players that have made them so special this year. If that is the case, we wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled a Livi and ran away with the league for automatic promotion next year.

Two games filled with the passion, four teams pulling out all the stops to win. Sunday is going to be incredible. If you’re a fan of any of the teams involved we know they would love to have you there, encouraging them from the stands. It has all come down to this and we can’t wait.