Alloa Athletic Women got their league campaign off to a flying start on Sunday afternoon, running out 11-0 winners over Carron Huskies at the Indodrill Stadium.
The result marked the beginning of the club’s fourth season and, officially, the start of the Jill Leiper era, with Jill taking charge of her first competitive league game as player-manager.
The starting eleven featured a mixture of familiar faces from last season’s cup-winning side, alongside new signings Katie Arbuckle and Natasha Lewis, while a trialist was handed a start up front.
After just three minutes, Arbuckle’s long-range effort was parried by the Carron Huskie’s goalkeeper, with Sophie Rupp quickest to react and fire home the rebound to make it 1-0.
Five minutes later, the Wasps doubled their advantage. Lucy Burnett delivered an inviting corner into the box, which was met by the trialist, who rose highest to head home and make it 2-0.
Alloa continued to dominate and soon had a third. Amy Cully drove forward down the right before cutting the ball back across goal, allowing Chloe McNaught to finish and put the Wasps firmly in control.
The hosts continued to create chances, hitting the post and having another effort ruled out for offside as they searched for more.
The fourth eventually arrived through another excellent delivery. Jenna Woods swung a superb cross into the box from the left, and the trialist rose to meet it, heading home her second of the afternoon.
There was still time for one of the goals of the game before half-time. The trialist turned provider this time, producing a superb 40-yard pass to pick out Woods, who finished spectacularly on the volley to make it 5-0.
Alloa hit the bar again before the interval but went into the break five goals to the good. The pressure continued after the restart and, on the hour mark, the trialist completed her hat-trick to make it 6-0.
Another excellent piece of play from Cully down the right created the opportunity for the trialist to add her seventh of the afternoon, before she incredibly grabbed an eighth shortly afterwards.
The eighth came after the Carron Huskies goalkeeper handled the ball outside her penalty area. Burnett stepped up and delivered a clever free-kick into the box, which the trialist converted to complete an outstanding individual performance.
With the game already beyond doubt, Alloa continued to push forward. Niamh Kinsella came off the bench to make it 9-0, following a busy morning which had seen her take part in the Great Scottish Run.
Arbuckle then capped an impressive first league start with the tenth goal from the penalty spot after winning the spot-kick herself, earning her Player of the Match honours in the process.
Substitute Caitlyn Stewart produced a great ball forward, finding Nicole Smith, who kept her composure to coolly finish and complete an emphatic 11-0 victory.
It was a hugely encouraging start to the league campaign, with goals shared across the squad and plenty of positives for Leiper to take from her first competitive game in charge.
Speaking after the match, manager Jill Leiper said:
“It was a really positive way to start the league season. The girls showed good intensity, moved the ball well and took their chances. We will continue to improve and grow, but we’re delighted to get the three points and start the season with a strong performance.”
The Wasps are back in action next Sunday, October 11, when Annan Athletic visit the Indodrill Stadium for a 2pm KO in a friendly.
Alloa Starting 11: Allison, Burnett (S.Gray 82′), McGuigan, Whyte, Lewis, Rupp, Arbuckle, McNaught (Stewart 82′), Cully (Smith 69′), Trialist, Woods (Kinsella 59′)
Subsitutes: S. Gray, Stewart, Smith, Kinsella & Leiper.
