Esme Kilburn-Thompson’s hat-trick, plus goals from Molly Kehoe, Manon Pearce and Summer Evans, gave Gwalia United a thumping win at Ascot United as they began their FA Women’s National League campaign in style.
Gwalia could hardly have wished for a better start to their opening fixture of the season, racing into a 4-0 half-time lead before adding two more after the break to seal a comprehensive 6-0 victory at The Racecourse Ground in front of a crowd of around 95 on a sunny afternoon in Ascot.
Gwalia were ahead inside the first couple of minutes. Molly Kehoe pounced early to open the scoring with the quickest goal of the opening weekend across the entire FA Women’s National League.
To their credit, Ascot rallied after the early setback and began to find their feet defending resolutely. But Gwalia struck again on the half-hour when Manon Pearce’s cross from the left was turned home first-time by Esme Kilburn-Thompson to make it 2-0.
Manon Pearce then got in on the scoring act herself, curling home a superb strike from distance in the 35th minute to put the visitors 3-0 up.
Esme Kilburn-Thompson had her second of the afternoon moments before the break, flicking home from close range in first-half stoppage time to send Gwalia in at the interval with a commanding 4-0 lead.
The visitors continued where they left off after the restart and were unfortunate not to add to their tally inside the opening minute of the second half. Callie Jones saw an effort come back off the post, before Manon Pearce crashed the follow-up against the crossbar.
Gwalia’s fifth goal was not long in arriving. Five minutes into the second half, Summer Evans – making her FA Women’s National League debut – curled a free-kick from just outside the box into the top right-hand corner.
Kilburn-Thompson completed her hat-trick on 57 minutes, turning home a rebound to make it 6-0 and put the result beyond any doubt with well over half an hour still to play.
With the game long since decided, the visitors used the subs bench. Gwalia had further chances to add to the scoreline but were repeatedly denied by some last-ditch Ascot defending and a series of fine saves from Ascot goalkeeper Emily Evans, who was making her Tier 4 debut for the Yellas.
With several new faces having arrived over the summer, it will take time for the squad to fully gel and adapt to the club’s style of play. Still, on an afternoon of six goals and a maiden league win, the biggest frustration for Gwalia may simply be the number of further chances that went unconverted.
Gwalia return to the USW Sport Park on Sunday for their first home game of the season, when Bournemouth Sports make the visit. Tickets are available via the Gwalia United ticketing website.
Feature Image Credit: Ben Brain Photography
