Haley and Kirby on target in friendly win

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Albion beat Spanish premier division side CF Alhama on Wednesday.

Bruce Talbot

2025-08-20T11:40+01:00

Rachel McLauchlan congratulates Fran Kirby after Albion scored their second. 📷 Paul Hazlewood

Albion eased to a 2-1 victory over Spanish top-flight team CF Alhama on Wednesday in the first of two friendlies as part of their pre-season training camp.

Goals from Madison Haley and Fran Kirby in the first half put Albion in control before the hosts pulled one back in the closing stages through Kuki Rodriguez.

The first-half team before Wednesday's friendly against Alhama. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Albion dominated possession from the start, building patiently through the thirds as they tried to open up Alhama’s deep-lying defence.

Carla Camacho keeps possession on her debut. 📷 Paul Hazlewood

They broke through in the 22nd minute after building an attack down the right. Kiko Seike pulled the ball back to Madison Haley who had come in off the left to join in the attack and had a tap-in from six yards.

The second goal three minutes later showcased Kirby’s finishing skills. Rachel McLauchlan found her teammate in space just inside the box and Kirby looked up before placing a right-foot shot inside the far post.

Fran Kirby doubles Albion's lead with a fine strike into the far corner. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Carla Camacho went close with a shot on the turn and Charlie Rule’s 20-yarder – after a long spell of patient possession – rattled just wide as Albion looked to emphasise their superiority with further goals.

Jelena Cankovic impressed in midfield during the first 45 minutes. 📷 Paul Hazlewood

It was all change at the break with an entirely new team and although Alhema saw a bit more of the ball Albion continued to look more threatening with Olivia Johnson’s effort saved after a patient build-up involving Nadine Noordam and Bex Rayner.

With 12 minutes to go Alhama scored with their first shot on target, a superb effort from 30 yards into the top corner by Rodriguez which gave Sophie Baggaley no chance. But Albion saw out the game comfortably enough and will now prepare to take on Levante back at the Pinatar Arena on Saturday.

Rachel McLauchlan makes ground down the right-hand side. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Albion (first half): Chiamaka, McLauchlan, Rule, Moeka, Olislagers, Symonds, Kirby, Cancovic, Seike, Camacho, Haley.

Second half: Baggaley, Hayes, Carabali, Rayner, Bance, Noordam, Auee, Johnson, Gay, Pegram, Balmer (Olislagers 60).

Dario Vidosic's thoughts...

Dario Vidosic briefs the team during a second-half water break. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

"There were a lot of positives. Even kicking off at 10.30am the heat was scorching but we had a good opponent preparing for their season so it was a different challenge, but one I thought we handled quite well.

"They threw some challenges and ideas at us which forced us to think about how to play different opponents and styles, which we’ll face in the WSL when the season starts. We handled it quite well and controlled the game for large parts.

"Overall we’re coming together. We’ve still got a couple of girls that have come in a little bit later due to national team commitments and also a few that are rehabbing but the steps we’ve taken are really pleasing to see. We know we have work to do but the group has been fantastic this week and they are looking forward to the next challenge against Levante on Saturday."