Altrincham FC Women came out victorious in a 10-goal thriller in Birkenhead, picking up a 7-3 win over Wirral Phoenix on their return to North West Women’s Regional League Division One South action.

Strike pairing Kira Saycell and Francesca Boyle were ruthless and between them scored five in Alty’s first league game since December 7th.

It was a slightly slow start to the game for the Robins, with Wirral Phoenix probably being the happier of the two sides in the early exchanges. It was the 16th minute when Altrincham took the lead. Katie Locke’s cross from the right flank found Saycell at the back post, who opened the scoring from close range.

That opened the floodgates for the visitors as shortly after it was Locke who was the provider again. The right-back played a long ball for Boyle to run onto, who finished with composure one-on-one.

Wirral looked vulnerable defending through ball in behind, something Alty looked to target throughout the first half, and similarly found their third through direct play. This time it was Saycell running through, who picked up her second goal.

Carmen Culbert, operating in an unfamiliar left midfield position, capitalised on a poor Wirral clearance, producing an outstanding strike which cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net, giving Altrincham a four-goal advantage inside 30 minutes.

Georgia McKnight’s ball across the penalty area found Boyle, who tapped into the bottom left corner to find her second goal of her league debut for Altrincham.

Though trailing by five goals, the hosts put in an improved and spirited second half performance, pulling a goal back through an excellent finish by Bec Beesley into the top right corner.

McKnight had three good opportunities for Altrincham in the first half towards the right side, and at the fourth time of asking got the goal she deserved with a well-placed finish at a narrow angle.

Once more, Wirral responded with a goal as Alty failed to clear their lines from a corner and Talia Morrison converted at the back post.

Daryll Abrahams’ side found a seventh goal as substitute Matilda Whitehead played an excellent ball forward to Boyle, who opted to pass rather than shoot. It was Saycell who pulled the trigger, firing into the top left corner for her hat-trick.

Wirral picked up a third consolation goal as a ball was played down the right flank and offside shouts from Altrincham were waved away. The ball was played across goal to the back post, where Shaney Bond tapped home unmarked.

There was less success for Spencer O’Connor’s Elite U18 side, who suffered a 3-1 defeat in the semi-final of the Cheshire FA Girls U18 Youth Cup against Stockport County Ladies U18.