Dumbarton Women got back to winning ways at Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School this afternoon with a convincing 6-3 victory over Rossvale Development with striker Catriona McAllister netting an incredible 4 of the sides goals.
After an impressive start the girls found themselves a goal ahead inside the opening 10 minutes with captain Eva McInnes winning back possession on the left-hand side with an excellent tackle before driving through the whole Rossvale half to square the ball across goal where McAllister was waiting to net her first of the afternoon.
However, despite further pressure following the opener the visitors would level the game only 5 minutes later when the side lost possession just outside their own area before Rossvale worked the ball through and their striker slotted an equaliser past Kira Swallow.
Once again McAllister and McInnes would combine well up front to put the Daughters back in front, this time McAllister turning provider by slipping the skipper through on the left before a powerful strike across the keeper put the girls back on top.
Yet again though the side would be pegged back quickly with Rossvale scoring not long after the restart with a ball over the top beating the offside trap and a well taken finish leaving Swallow with no chance.
The ladies would then fall behind for the first time in the match after a misplaced clearance bounced back into their own box with the Rossvale number 11 lobbing the ball over the onrushing Swallow into the net.
Swallow would make a vital stop at her near post to keep her side within a goals distance of the visitors and her save would prove vital as the side would continue to push and following pressure from McInnes in the Rossvale box, their defender would clear the ball directly to McAllister who would thunder the ball home off the inside of the post to restore parity and see the teams go in all square at the interval.
Gerry Gallacher and his coaching team made some changes at half-time and one of the introductions was that of Gemma Russell who would score early in the second period to restore the lead with a lovely finish.
Swallow would keep Rossvale out at the other end with some good stops, including an excellent save above her head from a ‘Vale free kick.
The side would take advantage as the visitors became more and more desperate for an equalizer and score a duo of goals in the closing stages of the game.
Firstly, McAllister would grab her hat-trick as she followed up with a rebound after shed forced the keeper into an initial save and then would add her fourth and the sides sixth with another lovely, placed finish after going in one-on-one to finish the content.
Speaking post-match she said: “I’m very happy to get the goals but it was a great team performance, and we all put in the hard work.
“It was good to get a win again after last week and to beat a team above us in the league was even better.”
Speaking about his sides performance Gerry Gallacher said: “It was a great team effort from all the girls today, which is a must have for every game.
“We had a bit of luck at a crucial time in game to turn the tide in our favour and from then on, the belief in themselves was visible for all to see, I am particularly pleased with Sophie Reid who I thought was the player of the match.
“Both teams were up for it, and it became a tad feisty at times, with some great movement, lovely goals, unfortunately not all for ourselves but this meant an entertaining game for all those watching.”
Dumbarton have a free weekend next week before a trip away to St. Anthony’s on Sunday 16th, with the girls now having time to train and enjoy their hard fought victory.