Alloa Athletic Women continued their impressive unbeaten run in 2026 with a 2–1 friendly win over Thornton Hibs Ladies — a result that reflected both progress on the pitch and growing strength within the squad.

The match provided an opportunity for manager Allan Milne to experiment with his full squad. All 19 squad members featured across the 90 minutes. With league and cup fixtures on the horizon, the afternoon was as much about preparation and competition for places as it was about the result — though maintaining momentum will be a major boost to Milne.

Alloa took the lead through recent signing Nicole Smith, who made it two goals in two games since joining the club. Smith’s forward instincts were in full flow as she poked in front of the Hibs defence to turn it past the goalkeeper and notch the opener.

The second goal marked a significant moment for winger Emily Gray, who has now officially signed for the club. Gray impressed throughout with quality and composure on the ball, which showed in her goal.

Ghosting into the box Gray picked up a great area to expertly flick the cross goalward bound and double the hosts advantage.

The former Stirling University and Falkirk player adds experience to the Wasps’ ranks having also spent time in the United States with the University of New Haven.

Thornton Hibs grabbed a late consolation in the second half, but Alloa’s control for much of the contest ensured the victory.

The friendly also highlighted the club’s strengthening depth, with Gray’s signing following recent additions Smith and Rachael Whyte. Competition within the squad has intensified in recent weeks, something Milne believes is already raising standards.

We are delighted to add a player like Emily to the group. She has been training with us for a while now and you can see her qualities straight away. To get her minutes on Sunday was important and it was great to see her performance rewarded for a goal.

Over the last few weeks, we have added Nicole (Smith) and Rachael (Whyte) to the squad and it is undoubtedly the strongest it has been this season.

Sunday was a good test for us. We were able to use all 19 players in the squad, which shows how competitive it is. Winning is always nice and it keeps us ticking over for some big league and cup games coming up.

Allan Milne

With an unbeaten 2026 continuing and new signings bedding in quickly, Alloa now turn their focus back to league action.

A challenging away fixture against league leaders Bishopton awaits on Sunday, 22 February, as they look to carry their strong form into the crunch point of the season.

Alloa Athletic Women continued their unbeaten run in 2026 with a comprehensive 5–0 away victory over West Park United in SWFL Central/West action.

Fresh from their cup victory in Stonehaven, Allan Milne made several changes to the starting eleven, with a number of cup-tied players returning to the side in Bishopbriggs.

It was one of those cup-tied players who broke the deadlock with her first goal for the club. Maxine Simpson controlled the ball from a corner with her right foot before calmly placing it into the bottom corner with her left.

Corners proved to be the route to success in the first half, with the Wasps doubling their lead from another set-piece shortly after. This time, Katelyn Devine’s delivery looped over the West Park goalkeeper and nestled into the back of the net to make it 2–0 at half-time.

Jenna Woods was the only substitute introduced at the break, and the Alloa forward immediately began causing the hosts all sorts of problems.

She danced her way down the left-hand side before cutting the ball back for Nicole Smith to finish. The goal made it 3–0 and marked the number ten’s first since signing from Hutchison Vale in January.

Alloa continued to turn the screw in the second period, dominating proceedings and firmly controlling the momentum of the match.

Woods then turned from provider to goalscorer, producing an outstanding finish from the edge of the box to make it 4–0. The strike took the number nine’s tally to 11 goals for the season.

Alloa found the cherry on top in the closing ten minutes. Neve McGuigan found space on the right and, with a step-over and driving run into the box, caused further problems for the West Park defence. Her mazy run ended at the feet of a trialist, who smashed the ball goalwards to complete the scoring with a fine finish.

We are delighted to come here and get the job done. It is five good goals, another clean sheet and keeps the momentum building. It’s very pleasing.

To have five different scorers and some getting their first goal for the club is really encouraging. You look at the squad today, those who came off the bench and beyond that, it has so much quality in depth. It is a good place to be.

Allan Milne

The Wasps now enjoy a week away from competitive duties with a friendly on the cards at the Recs on Sunday, February 15.

Alloa Athletic Women were on the road on Sunday as they made the long trip to Aberdeenshire to face Stonehaven Ladies in the last-16 of the ScottishPower Regional League Plate.

Allan Milne’s side cruised into the quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory at the Jim Glennie Park Stadium, with goals from Rihanna McMinimee and Madison Dunn.

The day started in fine fashion as a 50-seater bus full of supporters, friends, family and young Wasps from the community gathered at the stadium to make the travel up the A9. As the bus pulled into Stonehaven, it felt like a Wasps takeover as the team geared up for kick-off.

A flurry of early chances showcased Alloa’s intent, with McMinimee and Woods linking up excellently to cause problems for the hosts.

Just four minutes into the game, Alloa would take the lead with the two forwards linking up well again. McMinimee’s strike was beyond the Stonehaven keeper and nestled nicely into the back of the net.

The visitors continued to pepper the goal with Woods and Burnett seeing efforts crashed off the crossbar, while McMinimee also saw a header cleared off the line.

A solitary-goal lead at half-time didn’t reflect Alloa’s dominance in the first half, and as the teams emerged for the second period, the pressure continued. Thompson’s effort from the edge of the box was the next to strike the underside of the bar as the Wasps searched for a crucial second goal.

That goal arrived around the hour mark, with some magical footwork from Woods on the left seeing her dance through the Stonehaven defence before cutting the ball back for McMinimee to claim her second of the afternoon.

Woods was once again the architect ten minutes from time, as her corner found the head of Dunn, who powered home a third goal for Alloa to put the cherry on top of an impressive performance.

A comfortable and dominant 3-0 victory for Alloa gave a strong away support plenty of entertainment and, most importantly for Allan Milne, secured a place in the quarter-final draw later this week.

Alloa return to league action this Sunday (February 8) with a trip to West Park, where they will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2026.

First and foremost, I’m delighted to be into the quarter-finals. That’s the main thing.

It was a really dominant and professional performance from the team. We could’ve looked to have scored more but the goals we scored and especially our second half performance was very pleasing.

Overall, it was a special day. To take a bus full of 50 people was fantastic. Family, friends, cup tied players and young kids from the community. It was a real team effort and the group appreciate all the support they get.

Allan Milne

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

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’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.

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

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.

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

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