Our women’s team returned to competitive action today with a home tie against Drumchapel United at Mountblow.
Opening their ScottishPower Regional League Group 5 campaign, manager Gerry Gallacher had a full squad to choose from, with the exception of the unavailable Sophie Dempster, Casey-Leigh Findlay, and Neamh MacNeil.
The side began the match a little nervously, last season’s defeats to The Drum still fresh in their memory but found the breakthrough after just 10 minutes.
Gemma Smith played an excellent ball through to release Gemma Russell one-on-one with the keeper. Her first effort was blocked, but the ball rebounded kindly, allowing Russell to tap it into an empty net.
The goal settled the nerves, and the team took full control of the match.
Russell struck again soon after, collecting the ball on the left wing before driving into the Drumchapel penalty area along the byline. The keeper advanced, but Russell managed to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle to double both her and the team’s advantage.
Russell completed her hat-trick within the opening 15 minutes.
Defender Mirren Esdale launched a pass from deep that bypassed the entire Drumchapel side, sending Russell through once more. This time, she finished first time with composure, claiming the match ball early.
Her sensational start to the game continued just minutes later. Gracie Williamson turned provider with a perfectly weighted pass between the United centre-halves, and Russell again slotted calmly past the keeper.
The fifth came on the half-hour mark, this time from Smith. She nipped the ball off a Drumchapel defender’s toe before driving into the area and finishing with poise to underline the team’s first-half dominance.
Defender Niamh McAleer was forced off at half-time with a pulled muscle, having delivered an outstanding display alongside Esdale to keep the pacey Chloe Devine at bay.
Midfielder Sophie Reid dropped into defence for the second half, but she too was forced off with a knock, prompting skipper Eva McInnes to fill in at centre-back.
The reshuffle disrupted the rhythm, but the side still added a sixth goal early in the half. A Smith corner was met at the near post by Caitlyn Connelly, who volleyed home from inside the area to complete the rout.
Late on, Kira Swallow produced a series of smart saves to preserve her clean sheet and ensure a dominant win to start the campaign.
The girls are back in action next week away to West Park United, aiming to secure qualification for the latter stages of the SWF Regional League Cup.