ACADEMY STARS HIT THEIR STRIDE

Head coach's youth approach rewarded as players impress amid injury crisis

- TAYLOR MURRAY

St Mirren Women's academy pathway is hitting its stride as head coach Kate Cooper gives youngsters more top-team minutes.

The Buddies head coach chose to look inward rather than at external additions when an injury crisis developed at the turn of the year.

A number of key senior players were sidelined for a long period due to injury, meaning younger players needed to step up and fill the gap.

Recently, the Buddies handed debuts to four 15-year-olds against Airdrie with a young side going out last Sunday and putting in an impressive performance which delivered a 5-1 victory over Queen of the South.

Praise Adebo bagged a brace with Zoe Richard-Campbell, Grace Blair and Leah Logan also on the scoresheet.