Staggies Women make it six wins in a row

By Andrew Henderson

Ross County Women hit double figures for the second week in-a-row to consolidate their spot at the top of the SWFL North with their sixth win in-a-row.

Having moved to the summit of the division on goal difference last week, County knew that they could not afford to let up to stay in pole position to win the league title.

Standing in their way last Sunday was Westdyke, who were one of just two teams in the SWFL North yet to pick up their first point of the campaign.

County would have been favourites going into the clash, but hitting back-to-back double digit scorelines may still have been something of a surprise.

Katie Mackinnon opened the scoring for the visitors in Aberdeen in the 12th minute, before Rhea Hossack took centre stage.

Hossack has an impressive record of scoring multiple times when she plays for County this season, and she completed her hat-trick before half time to put County in a commanding position.

A fourth and fifth for Hossack’s personal tally came wither side of Orkney native Abi Coltherd getting in on the act, bringing the scoreline to 7-0.

With just under 20 minutes left on the clock, Bethany Cochrane pulled one back for Westdyke, and she would exchange another goal with Hossack to bring the tallies to 8-2 in County’s favour.

Beth Macdonald then joined in before Hossack again found the net to move County into double figures, and she would score once more in stoppage time to make it 11-2 by the final whistle – with Hossack scoring eight on her own.

With Elgin City defeating Grampian 6-0 elsewhere, County and Elgin remain locked on 18 points at the top of the table, albeit County have the better goal difference by seven.

Next up for Iain MacIver’s side is a home match against another of the title hopefuls, Huntly, at Grant Park in Alness.

Away from domestic action, there was good news for County stand-out Keira Syrjanen as she has been recalled to the Scotland under-17s squad for the MIMA Cup in Spain next month.

Syrjanen, who scored a wondergoal at the Global Energy Stadium when County took on Bonnyrigg Rose in Scottish Cup action last November, has already earned several caps for the national age group.

Now, the Dingwall Academy pupil will be part of a 24-player squad which will head to Alicante to take on Canada, Czechia and Sweden.

Scotland will kick off the tournament against Sweden on Tuesday, February 11. They then face Canada two days later on Thursday, February 13 before taking on Czechia on Saturday, February 15.