Caley Thistle Women goalkeeper Jennifer Horrocks suffered the misfortune of breaking her arm in the warm-up of what could’ve been her first appearance for the club.
Horrocks, who made the move north from England due to her job with the RAF, was involved in her first match-day for the Caley Jags against Renfrew last weekend.
She suffered the fracture in the warm-up after saving a shot, and manager Karen Mason says Caley will support their new addition during her six-week recovery.
Horrocks joins the absentee list for Inverness‘ clash with Greenock Morton this weekend, with Kirsty Deans, Nicola Ross, Natalie Bodiam and Megan McCarthy all unavailable.
The Inverness boss admits she is already looking forward to Horrocks’ return, as Mason was delighted to add a new goalkeeper to the club’s ranks.
Mason said: “Jen had been in training with us, and it’s been like gold dust trying to find a goalkeeper over the years.
“She moved up here with the RAF, so is up here for at least four years and came to us looking for a club – I was thinking this is perfect, let’s get her in and starting getting her involved with the games.
“It was going to be her first time on the bench but unfortunately Iona (MacArthur) must’ve had too much Weetabix, Jen stopped her shot but broke her arm at the same time.
“I’m gutted for Jen, but hopefully within the six weeks she’ll be back and can be involved before the end of the season.
“She’s counting down the days until she can at least get back running in the gym. The girls have all been really supportive, Jen knows where we are if she needs us.”
Morton can’t be underestimated, says Mason
After last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Renfrew, Caley Thistle return to SWF Championship action on Sunday with their first away trip to Morton this season.
This Sunday’s meeting is a rescheduled fixture which was originally due to be played in October but was postponed due to a clash with cup fixtures.
Morton currently sit bottom of the third tier, but after good results against Hutchison Vale and leaders Livingston recently, Caley boss Mason knows not to underestimate their opponents.
TABLE | GW 2️⃣4️⃣
No change in the #SWFChampionship table this week, but Morton gain points at the foot of the table. #BeTheDifference pic.twitter.com/J1bxwTbrUi
— SWF Championship (@SWFChampionship) March 12, 2023
She said: “Their recent form – beating Hutchie last weekend and drawing with Livingston – is definitely showing they’re more than capable of holding their own in this league.
“We know from week to week in the Championship anyone can beat anyone on their day.”
The other north fixtures
In SWF League One, Westdyke could move back into second place with a win over Edinburgh Caledonia. The Westhill side are one point behind Falkirk and have a game in hand.
Grampian Ladies, who sit sixth in the League One table, are in for a difficult afternoon as they host runaway league leaders FC Edinburgh at Banks o’ Dee’s Spain Park.
In Biffa SWFL North, Inverurie Locos – who moved into second place last weekend – will be looking to claim bragging rights in the Garioch derby as they host local rivals Huntly at Harlaw Park.
The fifth tier’s basement side Westdyke Thistle travel to Peterhead to play Buchan, while Stonehaven host Dyce at Mineralwell Park.
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