Edinburgh South women footballers secured a play off for a place in the National League pyramid after capturing the SWFL East title.
Coach Alfie Smith’s team needed a home win over Murieston to overtake leaders Edinburgh University – and got the job done with a 5-0 victory at Holy Rood High School.
South, who only played their first game in 2021, lost just one league game all season. They now face SWFL champions Giffnock in a one-legged promotion play off at Ochilview, home of SPFL side Stenhousemuir. The contest was due to take place on 31 May.
Alfie said: “I couldn’t be more proud of these players. They are fine footballers and great characters.
“We’ve had to work really hard to win this title, including scoring a 96th-minute winner away to the Uni. It’s been a tough old season.
“The way the SWFL pyramid is structured, unfortunately, means that even winning your league doesn’t guarantee promotion. A lot of clubs would love to see that changed, and we’ve been in discussions with the league about opening up the pathway for the many ambitious clubs currently feeling a wee bit stuck in the regional leagues.
“But for now, our path to League One involves winning a play-off. We know how difficult it will be to defeat another team of champions.
“South is a great community club with over 1000 players at all age levels, and the team was set up – a couple of years before my time – to give girls a platform to play senior football. We’d like to think we’re providing just a little bit of inspiration to the girls who put so much work into their own games every week. This win is for them, as well.”
South, who also reached the SWFL Regional League Cup semi-finals, finished the season with 104 league goals. The club operate a full girls’ pathway from under-8s all the way through to not one but two senior sides, with a team also taking part in the Scottish Women’s Recreational Football League.
- Photo credits: Susie Raeburn media.
