Andy Enwood: Title for Hearts Women would be reward for so much hard work

Hearts Women are on the cusp of the title. Pic: SNS

Hearts Women’s head coach Andy Enwood says winning the Scottish Building Society SWPL 2 title will be the culmination of three years hard work.

The Jambos are on the brink of their first-ever league championship should they avoid defeat to Partick Thistle at Tynecastle Park on Sunday, an outcome that would see the club join Capital rivals Hibs Ladies and Spartans in the top flight next season.

Hamilton Accies are the only side who can stop Hearts in their tracks, but they must defeat Kilmarnock and hope Thistle do them a favour if the title is to head to South Lanarkshire.

Enwood was assistant to now Hibs Ladies’ boss Grant Scott prior to assuming the reins full time when his predecessor vacated the role in April 2018.

And Enwood is anticipating an emotional afternoon should everything go according to plan.

"It’s been three years in the making so it will be great to finally get over the line," he said. "We’ve worked with the younger players, nurtured them and that hasn’t just happened overnight. We’ve been with a group who have stuck with us when things haven’t gone our way. We finished sixth two years ago then third last season, so we’ve made steady improvements. I think you will see a lot of emotion should we do it. This will mean so much to everyone at the club.

"We’re all clear of what’s at stake and what we need to do. I’m not one for using the old cliche and saying this is just another game because that isn’t the case. Should we win it tomorrow then for some of these players it will be the first time in their football careers that they’ve won anything.

"I don’t have any qualms about us being complacent. But if there’s not an element of nerves then you shouldn’t be playing at this level. Training has been good this week, we’ve kept the same approach.

"We’re just focusing on ourselves but Kilmarnock are no mugs. They are strong at home so it’s not a forgone conclusion that Hamilton are going to win their game. We’ve got a plan to go out and win so their result becomes irrelevant if we do that.

"It’s in our own hands, which we’ve always wanted, and if it doesn’t go for us then there can be no complaints. It’s a fairytale ending for us if we can do it at Tynecastle."