Our Women’s team returned to action for the new season with a seaside friendly against SWFL South side Ardrossan Winton Rovers this afternoon.
It was the first time Gerry Gallacher’s squad had been together since the final game of last season against Bishopton, and the aim was to start pre-season on a positive note against experienced opposition.
We were without several key players including Gracie Williamson, Sophie Dempster, Gemma Russell, Sophie Reid, and vice-captain Mirren Esdale, due to summer commitments.
That meant a reshuffled midfield, with captain Eva McInnes joined by Alisha Biggerstaff and Caitlyn Connelly in a 4-2-3-1 setup.
There was a first squad appearance for 15-year-old midfielder Amy MacPherson, who was rewarded for her impressive progress in the Dumbarton United youth system and featured during the match.
We started on the front foot and took the lead inside ten minutes. A long ball from McInnes sent last season’s top scorer Catriona McAllister through on goal. Although her initial shot was saved, she reacted quickly to tap in the rebound and open the scoring.
McAllister struck again just minutes later, turning home a low cross from Mya Logan to double both her tally and ours, giving us an early cushion.
Ardrossan responded well, forcing Kira Swallow into a smart save at her near post before we successfully defended a series of corners, an area that had caused problems last season.
The hosts eventually pulled one back after Neamh MacNeil conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. The initial delivery was blocked by MacNeil, but the rebound fell kindly and was fired past Swallow to make it 2–1.
Just a minute later, Ardrossan capitalised on a lapse in our defence, with their forward sneaking in behind to slot home an equaliser.
They completed the turnaround shortly after the half-hour mark when a mix-up between MacNeil and Swallow allowed the striker to tap into an empty net.
Swallow responded with a trio of excellent saves to keep us in the game, tipping away two long-range efforts and bravely rushing out to stop a one-on-one.
Before the break, McAllister came to our rescue once more. Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, she danced past two defenders and finished with composure to complete her hat-trick and send us into half-time level.
The visitors would kick off the second 45 and be on the front foot initially but again the side would show their defensive improvement and defend the early corners effectively and Swallow making more important stops, the keeper showing no signs of rustiness after the summer break including a few brave rushes out to stop big chances, putting her body on the line at the feet of attackers.
Both sides would have opportunities to lead throughout the half, including when young MacPherson played Gemma Smith through on goal, only for the referee to inexplicably call the game back for a supposed foul at least 30 seconds previous.
We had a huge chance five minutes before the end when Logan was played in by McAllister, but the keeper would smother as the winger ran out of space.
Yet again the duo of McInnes and McAllister, as they so often did last season, combined to give the girls the lead again late on, with the skipper playing the forward in who struck home with ease from the penalty area.
The drama was not done there however, as Ardrossan were awarded a late penalty after a trip by Logan but Swallow was rewarded for her outstanding showing with a bit of luck as the spot kick clipped the bar before Niamh McAleer was able to clear.
The side would hold on defiantly despite some late Rovers pressure to end their return to action with a victory.
The side are back in action next Sunday for another pre-season game, this time at home against Stewarton Annick at Mountblow in Dalmuir, Clydebank.
Thank you for all who made the journey down to support the women, we hope to see you all this coming season.