Category: Womens

Burnett celebrates winner

Burnett brilliance seals victory for the Wasps

The Wasps extended their unbeaten run into 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Linlithgow Rose at Recreation Park on Sunday (January 25).

Allan Milne named four changes to the team who drew to Glennifer Thistle last weekend with vice-captain Madison Dunn returning, alongside Rachel Docherty in goals, goalscorer Bailey Black and a trialist.

The match began as it would continue, with both sides creating early chances. Neve McGuigan’s mazy run ended with a powerful effort that was well saved by Tomczynski. At the other end, her counterpart in Alloa colours matched the stop as Docherty raced off her line to deny Honeyford.

Magical feet were the theme as captain Devyn Thompson danced through a sea of maroon shirts to find herself one-on-one with the Linlithgow number one. Once again, Tomczynski came out on top with a smart save.

It remained goalless at the break, and as the sides emerged for the second half, it was the hosts who had to weather an early storm. Honeyford and McEwen both had huge chances to break the deadlock, but Docherty impressed with two excellent saves on her first home league appearance for the Wasps.

As the clock ticked past the hour mark, Alloa found something special to take the lead.

Lucy Burnett collected the ball at left-back and drove forward, gliding past Linlithgow defenders with ease. Her resulting cross cannoned off the arm of a Rose defender, earning Alloa a free kick in a wide area.

With a crowd of players packed into the box awaiting a delivery, Burnett instead whipped her effort goalward, the ball crashing into the back of the net for a goal-of-the-season contender and the opening goal of the day.

After a lengthy period of stoppage time due to injury, the match finished 1-0 as the Wasps claimed a deserved three points — a result that sees them move up the table and close the gap on those above.

It is a break in the league for Alloa as they travel to Stonehaven on Sunday (February 1) in the SWFL League Plate, before returning to league action the following week (February 8) against West Park.

Really proud of the players today for that one. It’s an important three points for us and keeps our unbeaten start to the year.

To a player, we were excellent. It was going to take something special to win it and delighted we got that moment.

The team’s attitude, work rate and intensity was outstanding. It’s really important we keep that going.

Allan Milne

Wasps start January with a point on the road

Alloa Athletic Women returned from their winter break to kick-start the year in Paisley as they took on Glennifer Thistle Ladies on Sunday.

The Wasps went into league action off the back of a positive festive period, during which they strengthened both the coaching staff and playing squad, as well as picking up some impressive friendly results.

Allan Milne named a strong side at the Ralston Community Sport Centre, with Katie Andrews returning to the squad between the sticks and competitive debuts for Maxine Simpson and Niamh Kinsella who made the switch from St Anthony’s.

It was the hosts who started on the front foot as they asserted their dominance on the game in the early stages. Sina Picken capitalised on that positive momentum as she fired her effort past Andrews in goal to give Glennifer the lead.

That goal seemed to spark life into Alloa, who began to move the ball with much more conviction and urgency after falling a goal behind. Rihanna McMinimee showed great tenacity to win the ball back for the visitors before laying it off to Jenna Woods around 20 yards from goal. The club’s top goalscorer placed the ball into the bottom corner from distance to grab the equaliser and her tenth goal of the season.

A cruel end to the first half saw Alloa fall behind once again as a Cara McInally corner looped into the box, evading everyone, and found its way directly into the back of the net.

What would follow in the second half was 45 minutes of dominance from Alloa as they pinned the opposition inside their own half for the majority of the game.

Substitute Bailey Black added directness and flair to the front line and was rewarded for her efforts with an outstanding finish beyond the trialist goalkeeper to draw the Wasps back level in the match.

A flurry of chances fell to Alloa as they pushed for a winner, but strong defending and assured goalkeeping denied them the elusive goal.

With minutes left in the game, Black would skip into the box before being fouled for a penalty and some late drama. Unfortunately for Alloa, after a long delay between foul and penalty being taken, the resulting effort cannoned off the bar and into safety for Glennifer.

It ended a point apiece in Paisley as the Wasps remain in the same position in the league. The team will look to build on a strong second-half showing when they return to Recreation Park on Sunday, January 25, to face Linlithgow Rose.

At the end of the game, there was a feeling of disappointment that we never took all three points We’ll take a point and build on it though.

We spoke to the group at half-time about a reaction and to their credit, they were excellent in the second half and deserved to go on and win the game.

We have to take the positives, of which there is many from the second half, as we return to the Recs next week.

Allan Milne

Alloa Athletic Women attend Toy Drive at NHS Forth Valley Hospital

Alloa Athletic Women’s team brought some early festive joy to NHS Forth Valley Hospital on Friday, December 12, as players and coaching staff delivered donated gifts to children in the wards.

The visit marked the second year in a row that the club has supported the hospital with a toy drive, and this year’s initiative proved even more successful than the last. Thanks to the generosity of the local community, the team collected an increased number of presents, ensuring plenty of smiles for children and their families during what can be a challenging time.

The players and coaches were in-person at the hospital to deliver the gifts and create special memories by spending time with children.

Manager Allan Milne praised everyone involved in making the initiative such a success.

“Days like today are really special and a privilege to be a part of,”

To hear the stories of what it meant to the children and their families makes it all worth it.

“I want to thank NHS Forth Valley once again and everyone who donated gifts. It was an incredible amount of presents we received and we know that they’ll go to good use in the hospital.

The team would like to extend their thanks to everyone who contributed to the toy drive and NHS Forth Valley for helping make a meaningful difference to children this festive season.

Defeat for Wasps in end of year goal fest

Alloa Athletic Women lost out in the final game of the year to Central Ladies 5-4.

It was the visitors who took an early lead with Lindsey Blues breaking the deadlock ten minutes in.

The Wasps would bite back immediately with Chloe McNaught rifling her first league goal of the season to draw the sides level.

A game that went back and forth in the early stages continued as three minutes later Blair McAlpine restored Central’s lead. Two minutes after that, Alloa were level once again as the goals rained down at a sodden Recreation Park. Katelyn Devine scored her first goal for the club with a thunderous effort past the Central goalkeeper.

Isla Roberts once again put Central ahead before half-time. They would go close to doubling their lead but a fine stop from Madison Dunn, standing in as goalkeeper, denied them a fourth.

Haiden Russell converted a quick counter-attack as the visitors found the fourth goal in the early stages of the second half. However, the Wasps were not down and out as Rihanna McMinimee picked up space behind the Central defence to bring the deficit back to one as the game went 4-3.

The hosts found themselves hard done by as Sammie Gray converted a rebound, an opportunity that looked onside to the naked eye but was ruled offside by the referee.

Central would get that fifth goal with 20 minutes to go as Leah Kirk found the back of the net.

A spirited Alloa team, who were missing several key players, did not give up and Bailey Black on her return to the side gave the Wasps a lifeline to make it 5-4 in the final ten minutes.

Despite sustained pressure in the late stages of the game, Central remained resolute and came away with the three points.

The year ended in defeat for Alloa as Central secured all three points. With plenty to play for in 2026, the team will be back in action on January 18. Friendly details during the break are to be confirmed.

We are disappointed not take to anything from the game today.

In tough conditions with mitigating factors, I can’t fault the players’ effort and application. We, of course, are disappointed in the goals we concede but we have lots to play for next year and we need to build on the positives.

It is important that we use this break to work on things as a group and look to have a positive start to 2026.

Allan Milne

Cully clinches three points for the Wasps

Alloa Athletic Women triumphed over Dumbarton at Recreation Park on Sunday with an action-packed 2-1 victory.

The Wasps enjoyed most of the first half with ample chances in front of goal.

In the opening ten minutes of the game, Alloa came close twice through Amy Cully and Lucy Burnett. Swallow in the Dumbarton goal stood tall for both efforts.

Swallow once again came out on top to deny Devyn Thompson from a corner kick with a fine save that was tipped over the bar. Thompson came close just moments later as she latched onto a Burnett through ball and cannoned her effort off the inside of the post.

Jenna Woods and Amy Cully would come close as the first half drew to a close at 0-0.

With so much pressure in the opening half, Alloa picked up where they left off by breaking the deadlock in the opening minutes of the second half.

Fantastic wide play from Cully saw her drive down the line and fire a low cross to the near post. It was Woods who was at the end of it, with a smart finish, flicked it past Swallow to give Alloa a deserved lead.

Emma Allison was called into action not long after the opener but comfortably kept the Wasps ahead.

As Alloa searched for the elusive second goal, Chloe McNaught came close with her close-range effort going inches wide of the post.

The visitors grew in confidence in the game and got an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining on the clock. A towering header from Niamh McAleer at the corner gave the visitors a route back into the game.

Alloa continued to power forward and pile the pressure on Dumbarton as they searched for the winner. It would come in the 83rd minute as Amy Cully turned from provider to match winner.

The winger picked up space on the right-hand side of the box and rifled her side ahead in the final embers of the game.

Alloa now move ahead of Dumbarton in the league onto seven points. A week off awaits the team before the final game of the year at home on December 14 against Central Ladies.

Amy Cully nets the winner on the 83rd minute

Stalemate at Drumchapel for the Wasps Women

Alloa Athletic Women’s side played out a 0-0 draw away to Drumchapel on Sunday, November 23.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Wasps, who dictated and dominated the majority of the match but were unable to find the elusive opener, which would have seen them clinch all three points.

Jenna Woods had her influence in the game early, on drawing two fouls in quick succession from her Drumchapel counterpart. Both tackles were deemed to be a caution and the hosts were reduced to 10 players in the first half.

From that moment, Allan Milne’s side began to assert themselves on the match with Rihanna McMinimee coming close to opening the scoring. The striker had picked up excellent space in the penalty area but was denied by Stephanie Lorimer in goals.

Amy Cully was next to go agonisingly close, as McMinimee’s great wing play whipped it across the area for Cully to glance inches wide.

The second half continued in a familiar fashion with Wasps peppering the Drumchapel goal.

Cully again came near, with her effort smashing off the underside of the crossbar. The framework was called into action once more, with Chloe McNaught’s curled effort coming off the bar too.

Devyn Thompson and Shantel Paterson also came close to the opener from corner kicks, but alas, it wasn’t to be for the Wasps.

Despite the constant pressure, Drumchapel defended well, remained resolute with a player down, and the game ended a point a piece.

The Wasps are back home this weekend with the visit of Dumbarton Ladies. Be there to support the Wasps at Recreation Park on Sunday November 30, 12pm.

We are disappointed that we weren’t able to find the winner this afternoon. Three points were the goal, but we’ll take the point and get back to work this week.

We have to use the frustrations in front of goal this coming weekend against Dumbarton and look to bounce back.

Allan Milne

Spirited Wasps lose out to Cumbernauld United

Alloa Athletic Women’s side were on the end of a 3-1 defeat at Recreation Park on Sunday, November 16.

Cumbernauld United, who sit at the summit of the league, came out on top of a closely fought battle in Alloa.

Frankie Fern opened the scoring for the visitors with a looped effort over the Wasps goalkeeper inside the opening ten minutes. That lead was then doubled by Robyn O’Neill who slotted home after a high press from Fern, once again.

The Wasps had moments in the game but were unable to take advantage initially.

Devyn Thompson was on the end of a great through ball to find herself one-on-one with the keeper. Her effort on goal was matched with a fine save from the United number one.

Opportunities also fell to Rihanna McMinimee, who picked up great space in the box but only to be denied once again with a smart stop.

The Wasps continued the charge with Jenna Woods showing great trickery, a nutmeg and drive into the box saw the number nine fouled for a penalty. Composure personified as Woods rifled the ball into the bottom corner for her eighth of the season.

United would bite back immediately to restore their two-goal lead as Fern grabbed her second of the game just before the break.

It was a spirited Wasps team who came out in the second half at the Recs. The young side showed great maturity in their second half performance with a raised intensity and quality on the ball.

The goal just didn’t come for the Wasps despite their pressure and with Emma Allison’s saves at the other end, the game ended as it was at half-time, 3-1.

It was defeat for Allan Milne’s side but plenty of encouragement in the second-half performance. The Wasps will look to build on that 45 minutes with a trip to Drumchapel and a home tie against Dumbarton before the winter break.

We are never happy to lose and we can be frustrated in the goals we lost in the first half.

However, I can’t fault the players’ attitude and work-rate in the second half. They were brave, showed real quality and maturity in the way they played.

We need to use that second-half performance as the standard going forward to put more points on the board before Christmas.

Allan Milne
Jenna Woods converts from the spot

Colts edge out Broadwood clash

Alloa Athletic Women fell to a narrow 2-0 defeat at the Broadwood Stadium on Sunday.

A goal in either half for the hosts from Jemma Hughes and Lucy Foye separated the sides in what was a closely fought affair.

It was the Wasps who came closest in the opening moments of the game as Amy Cully struck the post from a tight angle. Unfortunately for Allan Milne’s side, the resulting rebound evaded the oncoming attackers.

New signing, Rachel Docherty, produced a fine save from range to deny Colts the opener. However, with seconds left of the half, Hughes broke the deadlock with a looped effort from the edge of the box.

Lucy Foye sandwiched half-time with a goal to double Colts lead.

The Wasps didn’t down tools as they searched for a way back into the game. Jenna Woods forced the opposing goalkeeper into a fine save after great build-up play from the visitors.

Alloa did find the back of the net through Amy Cully who looked to have timed her run excellently before slotting home. It was not to be as the referee flagged for offside and the scoreline remained the same.

The Wasps will look to bounce back on Sunday, November 16, 2pm KO, with a tie against current league leaders, Cumbernauld United.

It was a disappointing result in the end for us as we know as a side we are capable of performing much better.

There were moments in the game that we can take positives from. It is a long season ahead, so we need to stick together and keep building as a group

Allan Milne

Alloa Women secure first league victory of the season

The Wasps recorded their first league victory of the season on Sunday with a 7-3 victory away to Carron Huskies at Glen Village.

Allan Milne named a changed team from the season opener against Bishopton with Allison, Docherty, McNaught and a welcome return from injury in Thompson, coming into the starting eleven.

In the pouring rain of Falkirk, Amy Cully continued her rich vein of goalscoring form by opening the scoring in the match. The opener was cancelled out quickly by Carron Huskies who bounced back with an equaliser.

It was the return of Devyn Thompson who restored the Wasps lead with a smart finish at the edge of the box. That strike was followed up by Neve McGuigan who’s first goal for the club put the side 3-1 up.

Alloa continued the charge and it was Cully once again on the scoresheet to make it 4-1 and take her tally to six for the season.

Carron Huskies were given a lifeline when they converted a penalty in the second half to bring the deficit back to two.

However, that didn’t last long as striker, Jenna Woods, rounded the Huskies’ goalkeeper to add a fifth for Alloa and a seventh for her own personal goal tab this campaign.

A brace from a familiar face trialist for the Wasps sandwich another Huskies’ consolation as the team triumphed 7-3 on the day.

The victory takes Alloa up to 6th in the table and gives the team a platform to build on when they return to competitive football on November 9 away to Cumbernauld Colts.

Alloa Women’s lose out on opening day

Alloa Athletic Women’s team opened up their account in the SWFL Regional Central / West league on Sunday, October 12.

Bishopton Ladies were triumphant on the day coming out 6-2 victors against the Wasps.

Amy Cully opened the scoring in the game slotting home after neat interchange from the midfield.

The visitors would bounce back quickly scoring two in quick succession and adding to their tally just before the break to make it 3-1.

Despite falling further behind, the Wasps rallied with a Jenna Woods long range strike dipping under the crossbar and giving the team a lifeline.

It was not to be for the young Alloa side but there will be plenty of positives to build on as the club complete recruitment and continue to strengthen the squad going into the season

Difficult one to take today. We know as a group we are a lot better than that, so it’s hard to take.
Today’s result won’t define how we finish in the league. It’s one game. We need to learn from it, stick together and use it to push us forward.

Allan Milne, Women’s Team Manager
Jenna Woods scores from range