Match Report

Mirren Esdale bagged a hat-trick as Dumbarton edged a five goal thriller against Alloa Athletic.

Following a narrow 2-1 defeat to a late goal in the away fixture at Recreation Park in November, this match shaped up to be a closely contested match with both sides displaying good form in recent months and with Alloa securing their place in the League Plate Final,

The Rockettes started the match strongly and within two minutes Eva McInnes linked up on the left with Lucia Sereno to square across the six yard box but somehow the ball evaded Anya Fraser and Gemma Smith who had both made up the ground.

After a quarter of an hour, Eva drew a foul on the edge of the box after picking up on a loose ball. Up stepped Mirren Esdale who lashed an unstoppable free kick beyond the outstretched arms of the Alloa keeper.

The lead was short lived and despite calls for an Alloa handball, Lauren Docherty struck home and the goal stood.

Despite the setback, the girls rallied and once again Mirren strode on to a perfectly weighted pass from Amy MacPherson to beat the keeper from outside the box with a spectacular postage stamp finish.

Both sides continued to press all over the pitch in the warm conditions and Dumbarton benefited from a full squad when players succumbed to a few injuries which piled up just before half-time.

The second half had barely begun before Mia Hutcheson levelled for the visitors with a fine strike from the edge of the box.

Yet again Dumbarton, cheered on by a large support, rallied and immediately Eva pressurised the Alloa back line carrying the ball past two players to draw the foul in the penalty box.

Referee Stephen Allan pointed to the spot and Mirren drilled the ball home to restore our lead.

Alloa continued to find a way back into the game and were unlucky when a back post header stayed wide.

However Dumbarton were always dangerous in attack and came close when young Anya was denied by Alloa’s Emma Allison as she tried to round the keeper. Flowing moves saw Natasha Lewis’ effort just too high and Eva shot wide of the post as we looked to finish the match off.

Alloa camped in the Dumbarton half for the final five minutes but the Daughters showed great resolve to manage the victory under intense pressure

Manager Kenny McInnes said: “We’re really pleased with the way the girls came racing out the blocks. Despite missing Kirstin Breslin and Gemma McGarry we were pleased with the depth of our squad and this was a contributing factor to the victory where we could bring players on while maintaining the quality on the pitch throughout.

“Alloa will be disappointed losing out to the odd goal in five n a very keenly contested match but it was our day today just as it was theirs earlier in the season and the girls thoroughly deserved their win.

“We were delighted to call on Sophie Dempster and the energy she brought to the side. Sophie Reid left nothing on the pitch with her efforts and does so much of the unseen work off the ball between defence and attack.

“Kira in goals and the central defensive partnership of Niamh and Ellie gave us confidence to play throughout. Lucia and Neamh MacNeil protected the box and Eva and Gemma caused problems all match.

“However Mirren’s performance deserves special praise. She’s a magnificent player and she was able to showcase her range of talents today with the hat-trick the icing on the cake.”

Dumbarton Women 3

18′, 35′, 49′ (P) Mirren Esdale

Alloa Athletic Women 2

20′ Lauren Docherty, 47′ Mia Hutcheson

View all the results and table from SWFL Central-West

Match photos